The eSafety Commissioner has enacted strong new powers under Australia’s Online Safety Act 2021 to prevent the further spread of the horrific video and manifesto produced by the Buffalo terror attack shooter.
Under the Act, material that is assessed to advocate a terrorist act is considered Class 1 material and is subject to removal by the eSafety Commissioner.
eSafety has issued removal notices in relation to material hosted on eight overseas websites in the wake of the Buffalo attack, giving recipients 24 hours to remove the material. The material has since been removed from four sites.
“The terror attack in the US city of Buffalo over the weekend was a senseless act of violence fuelled by racial hatred. My deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of the many innocent victims,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.
“eSafety is taking strong and decisive action to protect Australians from exposure to this horrific material and to prevent it being used to promote, incite or instruct in further terrorist acts.”
eSafety has received two complaints in relation to the attack video and manifesto. Further investigation by eSafety identified additional online locations where the video and manifesto were being hosted. If the websites and hosting services refuse to comply with the notices, eSafety has a range of further compliance and enforcement options under the Act.
“Some of the worst fringe sites in the world host this terrible material and I make no apology for taking action against them to ensure Australians are protected,” Ms Inman Grant said.
