Thousands of extremists posts removed from social media
More than 2500 violent or extremist social media posts have been removed from online platforms following requests by the federal government in the past six months.
Illustrative: Social-media companies displayed on a smartphone. Credit: Twin Design/Shutterstock
Figures from the Department of Home Affairs have revealed the government agency referred 3052 posts to platforms to be removed between July 1 and December 21.
Of the total number of referrals, 2527 violent or extremist online posts were eventually taken down, or 82.8 per cent.
The department said it has issued notices for 1375 posts since the current conflict between Hamas and Israel broke out on October 7.
Of those, 1094 posts, or just under 80 per cent were removed.
However, not all of the posts removed during that time were concerned with the Middle East conflict.
“The Department of Home Affairs refers instances of online terrorist and violent extremist content to social media platforms as part of its ongoing work in countering all forms of violent extremism,” a department spokeswoman said.
October had the highest number of referrals of extremist posts during the past six months, with 745 made and 586 removed.
The federal government previously announced $12.8 million in funding to protect Australians online from terrorist or extremist content.
The money, over four years, included extra resources for the eSafety commissioner to receive and respond to content referrals.
AAP
