ESAFETY - US State department website development

Question

In February, it was reported that the US State department was developing a website called freedom.gov. Reuters reported that it would be ''an online portal that will enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda''. 1. Has eSafety had any communication with the US State department on this? 2. Has eSafety considered how such a site may interact with Australian laws? 3. Given the site is designed to avoid censorship, what actions can eSafety take against the site hosting prohibited content if it refuses to comply with takedown notices? 4. Would eSafety fine the US government if it failed to comply with takedown notices or other directions? 5. Would eSafety take the US government to court if it failed to comply with takedown notices or other directions?

Answer

Please see the attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000696.pdf (opens in a new tab)