The Global Network Initiative (GNI) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft industry standards recently published for consultation pursuant to the Online Safety Act. We appreciate the extensive consultation that eSafety has allowed in multiple stages of the law-making process, several of which GNI has been a part of.
As a general matter, we appreciate the Commissioner’s efforts to craft a balanced and practical approach to its online safety objectives. However, we continue to believe that the standards can be further improved, specifically by clearly articulating the criteria and processes for warranted exceptions and ensuring appropriate and non-discriminatory use of proactive detection technologies.
GNI hopes that this feedback will be useful and remains eager to engage with relevant authorities, industry associations, and civil society to ensure that Australia’s approach to online safety is consistent with the country’s long-standing commitments to international human rights principles, including through its engagement in the Freedom Online Coalition and the recent Declaration for the Future of the Internet.