Australians, despite having a range of internet safety regulators, are still highly vulnerable to online scams. While Australia was the first country to establish an eSafety Commission in 2015, recent events show that we are lacking in effectively keeping people safe online. A recent scam by an Israeli crime gang operating from Serbia targeted 90,000 people from 90 countries, with 38% of victims and $140 million in losses coming from Australia. This raises questions about the effectiveness of our eSafety apparatus.
The authorities, including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), have been criticized for their lack of action in response to such scams. The police, the eSafety Commission, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), and online platforms all have roles to play in combating online scams. Despite having been using social media platforms like Facebook for 20 years, it seems that our criminal law structures are not as effective as they should be.
The prevalence of scams, such as those involving fake celebrity endorsements and identity thefts, raises concerns about the authorities’ ability to address these issues. The fact that these scams are so common and obvious begs the question of why more has not been done to prevent them. Facebook, for example, should have mechanisms in place to detect and prevent fraudulent activities on its platform.
Overall, there is a need for better coordination and enforcement by authorities to protect Australians from falling victim to online scams. It is clear that more needs to be done to address these issues effectively. Imagine the scenario where crucial information was delivered almost a year ago, yet nothing was done about it. The issue only recently came to light thanks to IFW Global, a company that blew the whistle in a submission to a parliamentary committee.
The focus now shifts to eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, who is expected to take action. Her responsibilities, as outlined in Section 27 of her act, include promoting online safety, supporting measures to improve online safety for Australians, coordinating activities among Commonwealth Departments, authorities, and agencies related to online safety, and conducting educational programs on online safety.
However, it appears that in one area of significant harm, she has failed to fulfill these responsibilities. Instead of addressing real online harms, the Commissioner has been preoccupied with disputes with X (formerly Twitter) and issuing notices to take down content while ignoring more severe content on platforms like Facebook.
Furthermore, ACMA has shown incompetence in regulating social media platforms, allowing them to display fraudulent ads and profit from them. Additionally, the police forces in the country, equipped with Cybercrime units, seem to be inactive in addressing these issues.
The focus needs to shift towards setting priorities and taking real action. The current state of law enforcement online reflects a trend in our ruling class of prioritizing talk over action. Rather than forming global alliances, perhaps Commissioner Inman Grant should focus on addressing real harms within her own country.
There is a pressing need for coordination and accountability in combating the tangible harms inflicted upon individuals in the digital realm. Let’s shift the focus towards tangible actions and solutions to protect the well-being of Australians online.
Source link
