Australian government imposes ‘anti-troll’ legislation to unmask bullies

Social media networks could be held responsible for defamatory comments posted on their platforms

Social media will no longer be a safe space for internet trolls in Australia as the government introduces a new legislation.

The “anti-troll” law will hold social media networks including Facebook and Instagram responsible for any offensive and harmful comments published on their platforms.

The new legislation marks these networks as the publisher of comments which will put them at risk of defamation claims in Australian courts.

If such a case does reach court the platforms will be required to provide details of the person behind the trolling account.

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison says this change will permit more free speech and accountability within the nation.

He says that “in a free society such as Australia where we value our free speech it is only free when that is balanced with the responsibility for what you say”.

He added that “Free speech is not being allowed to cowardly hide in your basement and sledge and slur and harass people anonymously and seek to destroy their lives”.