The Australian online security regulator has imposed a fine of $ 957,000 (EUR 584,000) for a delayed report on the preventing the spread of terrorism and abuse of children by its users. TASR reports this according to DPA and The Guardian.
“If we want responsibility from the technology industry, we need (from it) much more transparency. These abilities allow us to look under the hood ‘how these platforms deal with or do not deal with a number of serious online damage that affects Australians, “said Electronic Security Commissioner Julie Inman Grant.
Esafety has asked a telegram along with other social media to report on the spread of terrorism, violent extremist materials and materials with sexual abuse of children. On Monday, the independent regulator said that the other platforms met the request by 6. May 2024. The telegram took 160 days to provide the required information on October 31.
Esafety report containing answers from telegram, Meta, WhatsApp, Google and Reddit will be published in early March.
“Research and observations have shown us that the spread material can normalize, numb and sometimes radicalize especially young people who view malicious material online, which (otherwise) cannot see,” she added.
Telegram has 28 days to make a fine decision
The telegram has 28 days to ask for cancellation of the fine, payment or request an extension of the payment.
Last year, the joint statement of Five Eyes Security Agencies (including the Australian Security Intelligence Organization and Federal Police) described the telegram as one of the platforms through which young people gain access to extremist propaganda videos.
The telegram signaled willingness to cooperate more with the regulatory authorities around the world after the company CEO of Pavel Durov was arrested in France in August 2024 and the accused for insufficient procedure for suppressing extremist and terrorist content. He was released on bail and is banned from leaving France.
