Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Australia to probe foreign interference through social media platforms

Published 12/06/2019, 07:18 PM
Updated 12/06/2019, 07:18 PM
© Reuters. Facebook and Twitter logos are seen on a shop window in Malaga

© Reuters. Facebook and Twitter logos are seen on a shop window in Malaga

By Colin Packham

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia on Thursday established an investigation into potential foreign political interference through social media platforms such as Facebook (NASDAQ:FB), Twitter and WeChat.

The review comes amid heightened Australian concerns that China is seeking to interfere in Canberra's affairs, and after U.S. intelligence analysts found Russia had used social media to try and influence the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The bipartisan parliamentary Senate select committee was established after the ruling coalition government backed the opposition Labor Party's proposal.

"The rise of 'fake news' and misinformation campaigns present a very real and present danger to democracy not only in Australia, but across the globe," Labor lawmaker Penny Wong said.

"We must protect our democracy from malicious foreign actors."

The investigation will need to report its findings by May 2022, around the time Australia will hold its next general election.

No specific national threat was mentioned, but activity suspected to have been undertaken by China has come under increasing scrutiny in Australia in recent years.

China denies seeking to sway Australia, accusing the government of adopting a "Cold War mentality".

Citing China directly, then Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in 2017 introduced new laws that required lobbyists working for foreign countries to register.

The legislation soured bilateral relations with China, by far Australia's largest trading partner.

In September, Reuters reported Australian intelligence determined China was responsible for a cyber-attack on its national parliament and three largest political parties. China denied it was responsible and the Australian government did not comment.

Last month, Australia's domestic spy agency said it was investigating whether China tried to install an agent in federal parliament in what Prime Minister Scott Morrison called "deeply disturbing" allegations aired in Australian media.

© Reuters. Facebook and Twitter logos are seen on a shop window in Malaga

Amid a spate of cyber-attacks on its universities, Australia also last month required higher education facilities to declare financial dealings with foreign universities.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.