Australia Slams Telegram with Heavy Fine... "Content Management Must Be Transparent"
Telegram: "An Unfair and Disproportionate Measure"
Australia's internet regulatory authority has imposed a fine of approximately 1 million Australian dollars (about 910 million Korean won) on the social networking service (SNS) Telegram for failing to respond promptly to questions regarding harmful content management.
According to The Australian on the 24th (local time), the Australian Online Safety Agency requested Telegram, Meta, WhatsApp, Google, and X (formerly Twitter) in March last year to explain how they detect and remove harmful content such as live streaming by violent extremists and child abuse-related material.
At that time, Australian authorities demanded a response by May last year, but Telegram submitted its reply five months late. Julie Inman Grant, head of the Australian Online Safety Agency, stated that Telegram's failure to respond on time disrupted operations for about half a year, resulting in the fine. She particularly pointed out that managing risky content by SNS operators became crucial after the terror threat level was raised to 'probable.'
She emphasized, "Research has shown that young people have been exposed to harmful content and exhibited radical behavior," adding, "Greater transparency is required regarding how these platforms handle serious harm affecting Australians."
Telegram responded, "We have fully answered all questions from the Online Safety Agency, and there are no unresolved issues," calling the fine "an unfair and disproportionate punishment."
Telegram must pay the fine within 28 days or apply for an extension or cancellation of the fine. If Telegram fails to pay, the Online Safety Agency may file a civil lawsuit in the Australian Federal Court.
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Recently, Australia has been strengthening regulations, citing the distribution of various terrorist attacks and child abuse-related content through SNS. In November last year, it passed a law banning SNS use entirely for those under 16, the first of its kind worldwide. Additionally, in 2023, the Online Safety Agency fined X 615,500 Australian dollars for failing to properly respond to a request for answers.
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