Australia: Issued eSafety Commissioner notice requiring online platforms to disclose strategies addressing online child sexual abuse

On 23 February 2023, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner issued legal notices to Twitter, TikTok, Google, Twitch and Discord, requiring the companies to disclose how they are tackling online child sexual abuse, including online sexual extortion as well as the role their algorithms might play in amplifying seriously harmful content. The notices have been issued under the Basic Online Safety Expectations outlined in the Online Safety Act 2021, which includes the obligation of online platforms to minimise illegal and harmful content and protect children from exposure to inappropriate content. The listed companies have 35 days to respond and face daily penalties of up to AUD 700,000 in case of non-compliance.