Australia’s top security chief has lashed social media companies for not doing enough to curb rising extremism online, warning of an uptick in activity from racists and nationalists using popular digital platforms to share “vile” propaganda” and tips on incite real-world acts of violence.
ASIO director-general of security Mike Burgess has urged tech giants to work with intelligence agencies to crack down on terrorists and violent extremists using encrypted online forums to spread harmful content.
In a speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Mr Burgess will warn of the rising threat of generative AI platforms in allowing terrorists to plot and plan future attacks.
“We are aware of offshore extremists already asking a commercially available AI program for advice on building weapons and attack planning,” he will say.
“The internet is [already]… the world’s most potent incubator of extremism. AI is likely to make radicalisation easier and faster.”
Telegram is the top-ranked digital platform linked with terrorist and violent extremist material ahead of Google’s YouTube, X, Meta-owned Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Mr Burgess will disclose that ASIO was actively investigating a group of Australians who are using an encrypted chat platform to communicate with offshore extremists to share tips on how to build homemade weapons and ways to provoke a “race war”
“The chatroom is encrypted, so ASIO’s ability to investigate is seriously compromised,” he will say.
Authorities need the help of social media giants or online extremists will not be caught, Mr Burgess will warn.
“In effect, unaccountable encryption is like building a safe room for terrorists and spies, a secure place where they can plot and plan,” he will say.
The warnings come amid heightened tensions between the Albanese government and Elon Musk’s X, which has been locked in a court battle with Australia’s e-safety regulator after it refused to remove violent content from a Sydney church stabbing off its platform.
AFP Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw on Wednesday will draw attention to the effects of the “extremist poison” facing Australian children who are logging into social media websites every day.
“Social media companies are refusing to snuff out the social combustion on their platforms,” Mr Kershaw will say.
“Instead of putting out the embers that start on their platforms, their indifference and defiance is pouring accelerant on the flames.”
Rapid disinformation and misinformation spread in the wake of two shocking stabbing incidents seen in Sydney has shown hows the consequences of tech giants “indifference and defiance” to uphold existing laws, the Commissioner argued.
“My door is open to all relevant tech CEOs and chairmen, including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg,” Mr Kershaw will say.
“I know we can find common ground because, put simply, tech is supposed to make our lives easier and safer, and not the opposite.
“It seems counter-intuitive that in a world of advancements that our safety is at risk.”
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