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Center for Information Technology, Society, and Law (ITSL)

Internet Regulation for Counter-Terrorism - Lessons form Australia

Tuesday, 1 October 2019, 2:15 – 3:45 pm

University of Zurich

Raemistrasse 71, 8001 Zurich

Room: RAI-E-125

 

It is widely recognised that technology contributes to terrorism, as terrorist organisations use so-cial media to post sophisticated propaganda. While not necessarily a direct cause of behavioural radicalisation, exposure to these materials facilitates terrorist radicalisation and recruitment. Ter-rorist groups also use end-to-end encryption to conceal their activities. Freely available smartphone applications like WhatsApp and Telegram allow terrorists to communicate, spread propaganda, recruit new members, and plan their attacks.


The use of technology by terrorist groups means that technology companies have a crucial role to play in terrorism detection and prevention. However, little is understood about how governments are using laws (including fines, duties and criminal sanction) to engage technology companies in these tasks and ensure their assistance with counter-terrorism. Australia recently enacted two highly controversial laws in this regard.


In this ITSL seminar, Dr KEIRAN HARDY will explain the scope of Australia’s encryption and social media laws, the jurisdictional issues they raise, and their potential impacts on cyber-security, the technology industry, and the human rights to privacy and free speech. Understanding Australia’s laws and the issues they raise is crucial if other countries are to reach a wider consensus on how technology companies should be regulated for counter-terrorism.

 

Admission is free. No registration is necessary. The event will be held in English only.

 

Flyer (PDF, 179 KB) (PDF, 351 KB)