eSafety Commissioner

The commencement of our Phase 1 industry standards marks a significant step towards a safer online environment. These standards require cloud services, messaging platforms and other online services to prevent the hosting, sharing and generation of child sexual abuse material, AI generated deepfake abuse and pro-terror content. With tech companies from around the world subject to these requirements come December 22nd, 2024, the standards aim to drive innovation and accountability across the sector and form a part of the interlocking regulatory schemes eSafety is implementing to protect Australians from online harms, including our Phase 2 codes, currently in draft. https://lnkd.in/gmp7XS6T

“We are challenging big tech businesses and the industry as a whole, to harness their collective brilliance, vast financial resources and sophisticated tools to help ­address profoundly damaging content hosted on and distributed by their services” We’re proud to announce the launch of our Phase 1 Industry Standards, marking a significant stride forward in child protection online. The new Standards require cloud and messaging services to strengthen safeguards against harmful content. https://lnkd.in/gGXKz_s3

The commencement of Australia’s world-leading online safety standards aims to create a safer, more accountable online environment for all. The eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman - Grant delivered a powerful message at the WeProtect Global Alliance 2024 Global Summit in Abu Dhabi, highlighting Australia’s continued leadership in online safety regulation. In her address the Commissioner reflects on eSafety’s regulatory journey, from industry associations developing mandatory industry codes for six industry sectors, to eSafety developing standards for the final two sectors under the Online Safety Act. She discussed the two new standards coming into force on December 22nd, 2024, which will require global tech giants to prevent the storage, creation and distribution of illegal online material, including child sexual abuse and pro-terror content. This will for the first time include AI apps and sites that ‘nudify’ images where they do not have effective controls to prevent the generation of child exploitation material, promoting greater accountability within the AI ecosystem. eSafety is committed to setting the global standard for online safety, putting stronger safeguards in place to protect Australians from exploitative content.

Two world-first industry standards targeting some of the most harmful content, including child sexual abuse and pro-terror material, are set to become law. Developed by eSafety and registered with the Australian Parliament, these standards officially take effect on December 22nd, 2024. What’s changing? The Designated Internet Services (DIS) and Relevant Electronic Services (RES) standards will now require file and storage services, chat, messaging and other services to prevent their platforms from being misused to store or distribute illegal content. The standards will also cover ‘nudify’ services - tools that use generative AI to alter images to appear nude- where they do not have effective controls to prevent the generation of child exploitation material. How does this fit in? Operating under Australia’s Online Safety Act, these standards join existing industry codes that already regulate social media services, search engines, app stores, internet service providers, hosting services and device manufacturers. This landmark move reinforces Australia’s role as a global leader in tackling online harm and holding tech giants accountable. eSafety's new industry standards will combat the most harmful online content, making the internet a safer space for everyone.

New year, new job?? 💼 eSafety is looking for a highly experienced senior leader to be our new Executive Manager - Chief Information and Digital Officer and lead our Technology, Data and Digital Enablement Branch! 💻 Why join eSafety? At eSafety, we’re pioneers in online safety regulation, driving world class innovative solutions to combat digital harms and ensure safer, more positive online spaces for Australians. Technology is a key enabler of this. This is an exciting role where you will drive implementation of optimal technology solutions to support eSafety’s remit whilst also managing risk, cyber threats, planning, strategy and delivery within the Commonwealth framework. To succeed in this role, you will have extensive experience as a senior technology leader within government, have outstanding people leadership skills, and have an innovative and experimental mindset. This is your chance to join a bold, forward-thinking team committed to creating lasting impact. If you’re ready to shape the future of online safety—we want to hear from you. 🔗 For further information or to apply visit: https://lnkd.in/gu3A7PhJ 📥 Applications close Monday 20 January.

Children and young people are spending more time online than ever before, but with this access comes exposure to harmful content, risky trends and potential exploitation. Keeping them safe isn't just a job for parents and educators, it's a shared community responsibility. In this episode of the Step Together: Start the Conversation podcast by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, Toby Dagg, General Manager at eSafety, discusses the office's regulatory responsibility in keeping Australians safe in the digital world. Key takeaways include: ⚠️ New and emerging online threats to watch out for 🛡️ How eSafety responds to harmful online activity 💡 Practical steps parents, carers, teachers and communities can take to protect children. 🎧 Tune in now to learn more about how we can work together to keep kids safe online: https://lnkd.in/gHGdwJ6Q

As organisations across the globe grapple with how to stem the tide of gender-based violence, many are turning their attention to the role of technology in enabling and amplifying this abuse. And one of the crucial questions asked is: ‘What do we know about what’s actually working?’ 🤝 eSafety has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to develop a world-first framework to help service providers design and refine interventions, and donors and governments invest with impact. 🌏 An initiative of the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse, the Framework for Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) Programming highlights good practices and programs that prevent and respond to this violence. This includes walking you through steps to design a TFGBV program, including: ➡ the key foundational elements ➡ an overview of typical programming pillars ➡ applying evidence-based practices ➡ how to strengthen rights-based law reform and create an enabling environment. The framework is informed by a literature review of more than 120 resources, interviews with over 50 key informants across 15 countries, and responses from over 30 program implementers.   Please share this with everyone committed to designing, delivering or funding empowering, human-rights-centric TFGBV programs: https://lnkd.in/g86_DB6q

Meet the keynote speakers and explore the topics they will cover at our 2025 Curriculum Connect Symposium: Building critical thinking skills in an age of misinformation and artificial intelligence (AI). 📸 Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz Professor and Chair of Digital Economy at QUT Business School will highlight the potential of digital tools to transform classrooms into dynamic, tech-driven environments. 📸 Dr Peter Ellerton, Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy of The University of Queensland Critical Thinking Project and a Senior Lecturer in the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry will share strategies and tools to foster critical thinking, empowering students to navigate uncertainty and thrive in today’s complex digital world. 📸 Kellie Britnell from eSafety Commissioner will unpack eSafety’s Best Practice Framework for Online Safety Education, developed to guide integrating online safety education into school curriculums. Our keynote speakers will be led by MC 📸 Professor Michael Dezuanni, Program Leader for Digital Inclusion and Participation at the Queensland University of Technology Digital Media Research Centre, who will guide discussions on building informed, resilient citizens in an era of information overload and misinformation. Join us at State Library Thursday 6 March for a full day of learning, collaboration and connection. Morning tea, lunch, networking drinks and snacks included. See full program and get early bird tickets (from $70) here ➡️ https://ow.ly/sbm650UpBCJ #curriculumconnect