Scott Morrison, the Prime Minister of Australia, announced on Sunday that his government would be introducing legislation that would require digital media platforms to provide information on anonymous users who post defamatory content.
The September ruling by Australia's highest court found that publishers can be held liable for public comments made in online forums.
Digital media companies like Facebook and Twitter will be responsible for the moderation of defamatory material on their platforms under a new law. Morrison said that the companies would have to take down their "digital shield" of protections that they currently give to anonymous troll online.
He said that the government will look for test cases that can reinforce the law so that digital media companies and anonymous users can be held accountable.
Morrison said that free speech is not being allowed to be used to hide in your basement and sledge and slur and harass people. There is no place for that in this country. In this country, we value freedom of speech, and you have to take responsibility for what you say.
Morrison said that in order to protect the country's citizens, especially women and children who are victims of online harassment, the companies must have processes in place to take quickly and effectively take down defamatory content.
Three in 10 Australian women have experienced online abuse or harassment, and nearly half of those who answered yes were under the age of 24. 42% of women who had experienced online abuse or harassment said that the incidents made them fear for their physical safety.
Australian Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said during a press conference that you should not be able to use the cloak of online anonymity to spread your vile, defamatory comments.
The legislation will require social media companies to create a system to process user complaints. The company must give the victims information about the anonymous user so that they can pursue legal action against them, Cash said.
The Federal Court of Australia will allow defamation victims to apply for an end-user disclosure order, which will require digital media companies to provide the victim with the troll's details, notify the troll that someone has filed a complaint against them, and ask them to take action.
This will be the end of the matter in many cases. Cash said that the online troll will take the material down and the person will be satisfied.
Insider reached out to both Facebook and Twitter.
