Australia blasts social media platforms for fuelling extremism
![](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/7526EB43-3411-4615-8EBB-71DCBEA63D55.jpeg)
Australia’s top-ranking intelligence official and police officer have accused social media companies of fuelling misinformation and extremism.
Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Reece Kershaw on Wednesday urged social media companies to do more to crack down on extremism and track criminals.
In a joint speech to the National Press Club in Canberra, they said technology is not above the rule of law and warned that artificial intelligence will make radicalisation easier and faster.
Mr Kershaw said that Australians on the open and dark web are being exposed to extremist poison that social media companies are refusing to snuff out.
“Instead of putting out the embers that start on their platforms, their indifference and defiance is pouring accelerant on the flames,” he stated.
Their speech came as the federal government is engaged in a dispute with X over footage of a stabbing at a Sydney church earlier in April that the AFP labelled an act of terrorism.
On Monday, the Federal Court of Australia issued X a two-day injunction to remove the footage for all users globally after the platform initially responded to an order from the eSafety Commissioner to do so by blocking the content for Australian users only.
The commissioner in March warned social media companies that they would face fines worth tens of millions of dollars if they fail to remove terrorist, violent extremism and child abuse content.
(Xinhua/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
![Katsina State](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/1863B29B-AC06-49E0-ADFA-655BBEC3389A.jpeg)
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
![Dana Air](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Dana-Air.png)
NationWide
Runway Overshoot: Dana plans refunds for customers after FG orders suspension of operations
The airline said it was processing refunds for affected flights over the next one month.
![Argentines protesting budget cuts on education](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/jbxc.png)
Education
Argentines protest budget cuts to public universities
The protestors are being joined by professors and students with their union leaders.
![Bruno Fernandes and Dominic Calvert-Lewin](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/jfd.png)
Sport
EPL: Everton hand Liverpool major upset in title race; Bruno Fernandes’ brace helps Man United return to winning ways
If City win the two games, they will go top of the table.
![FRSC](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/FRSC-1.png)
Heading 3
FRSC collaborates with judiciary for speedy trial of drivers involved in road crashes
“All drivers and vehicle owners who caused crashes on the roads would definitely face the wrath of the law.”
![Tanzania national grid](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/mv-.png)
Africa
Tanzania shuts down five hydro stations to reduce excess power on national grid
This is the first time the country will be shutting its hydroelectric stations over excess production.