Australia moves to block Internet domains hosting extremist content

The government of Australia is making moves to block access to internet domains hosting terrorist material during crisis events.

Officials said on Sunday that the new move will consider legislation to force digital platforms to improve the safety of their services.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is in France to take part in the G7 leaders’ forum, said the government intended to prevent extremists from exploiting digital platforms to post extremely violent content.

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“We are doing everything we can to deny terrorists the opportunity to glorify their crimes,” he said in a statement.

Australia and New Zealand have increased scrutiny of websites and social media companies in the wake of the Christchurch massacre in March, when 51 worshippers were killed in attacks on two New Zealand mosques.

The attack was livestreamed by alleged gunman Brenton Tarrant over Facebook.

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