Gov creates social media protocol, but Twitter still not signed on
- 16 January, 2013 13:29
- Comments
The Prime Minister has announced new guidelines for handling complaints on social media, which the government has dubbed the ‘protocol’ [PDF].
Facebook; Google, which includes YouTube; Yahoo; and Microsoft have all signed on to the Co-operative arrangement for complaints handling on social networking sites document to help stem online bullying.
“Technology and social media offer amazing opportunities to connect, share and communicate, but it also brings with it a need for users to be responsible about how they participate,” Pip Marlow, managing director at Microsoft Australia, said in a statement.
Twitter has not yet signed on, but the government said it has “commenced discussions” with the company, which was recently slated to establish its first office in Australia in Sydney soon.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has called on Twitter to "embrace" the guidelines, AAP reported.
By signing onto the guidelines, companies agree to 12 principles, including having a point of contact for government and meeting every six months to discuss “emerging issues” and trends; remove child abuse material; set out ‘acceptable use’ guidelines; educate users on what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour online; and have processes in place for handling complaints.
The guidelines also hold companies responsible for “promptly” handling complaints in accordance with its abuse policies.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has welcomed the protocol, stating it is a positive step to making the online environment safer for children.
The protocol follows on from an interim report by the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety in June 2011.
Follow Stephanie McDonald on Twitter: @stephmcdonald0
Follow Computerworld Australia on Twitter: @ComputerworldAU
Recommended
Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.
- Bookmark this page
- Share this article
- Got more on this story? Email CIO
- Follow CIO on twitter
-
Solving the skills conundrum – part 1
-
Australia suspected to have PRISM data: Ludlam
-
Australia Post’s mail business to lose $200 million this year
-
Australia Post’s mail business to lose $200 million this year
-
Microsoft's ambivalence about Office on the Web gives Apple shot with iWork on iCloud
-
Can You Provide Continuous Availability in you VMware Environment?
Expectations about IT availability have evolved. For leading edge in continuous availability, download now. -
Top 10 Mistakes in Data Centre Operations: Operating Efficient and Effective Data Centres
How can you avoid making major mistakes when operating and maintaining your data centre(s)? The key lies in the methodology behind your operations and maintenance program. This whitepaper explores the top ten mistakes in data centre operations. Read now. -
Top Five Reasons Why Customers Deploy a Flash 1st Strategy on EMC VNX Storage
Customers are increasingly virtualising their environments to maximize capacity and cut cost. With only a few Flash drives and the software products in the FAST Suite, EMC VNX customers can realise those same benefits in their storage environment with a Flash 1st data strategy. Download now and find out how customers no longer have to compromise between performance & TCO.
Get exclusive access to Invitation only events CIO, reports & analysis. 
