The Australian Government acknowledges a significant milestone in the implementation of the Online Safety Act 2021, with the eSafety Commissioner's decision on industry codes to tackle the most seriously harmful content online.
These are the first set of industry codes to be developed and are aimed at capturing the most seriously harmful content that would be refused classification, such as child sexual abuse material and acts of terrorism. The codes outline steps the online industry must take to limit access or exposure to, and distribution and storage of this material.
The Commissioner requested that eight industry codes be developed covering the various online industry sections defined in the Online Safety Act.
The Commissioner has decided that five of the eight industry codes provide appropriate community safeguards and will register these codes. The codes cover hosting, equipment, ISP, app providers and social media services. These codes will come into effect six months following registration.
The Australian Government notes the decision of the eSafety Commissioner that for some sectors of the online industry, more work needs to be done. The Commissioner found that two of the codes did not provide appropriate community safeguards and the eSafety Commissioner will commence work on industry standards.
The eSafety Commissioner reserved a decision on the final code covering search engine services, granting industry an additional four weeks to resubmit.
To learn more about the industry codes, visit www.esafety.gov.au/industry/codes
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
"Keeping children safe is a shared goal across governments, industry, civil society groups and the community and we have noted the Commissioner's decision today.
"I would like to thank the industry for their significant efforts in developing these codes, and for working constructively with the eSafety Commissioner throughout this process.
"The Australian Government will continue to prioritise the safety of Australians, especially the most vulnerable members of our community."
