TV HOST Charlotte Dawson, whose
battle with trolls sparked a wave of outrage that led to a Twitter
crackdown on online abuse, has hailed the result as a breakthrough for
young people and parents.
In a move that has made international news, the US social media
giant agreed to develop new protocols for co-operating with Australian
police following a campaign by The Daily Telegraph and representations by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.
In
the case of bullying or abuse that violates Australian law, Twitter
said it would open direct lines of communication with local law
enforcement and hold on to vital information for as long as legal
processes may require.
Dawson, who was hospitalised after a
ferocious attack by trolls, said she had since been inundated with
messages of support largely from teenagers and parents and that the
result was an huge victory.
"I think the Telegraph's done a really, really good job and I really want to thank Stephen Conroy as well - he really took it seriously," she said.
"It's a huge step in the right direction."
The Australia's Next Top Model judge
stressed that the new measures would have no impact on people's freedom
of speech online and that the campaign was never about that.
"This is not about losing your ability to be funny, sarcastic or argumentative," she said.
"It's about policing criminal behaviour and preventing death. No one's losing their freedom of speech."
Even
top shock jock and erstwhile Telegraph sparring partner Kyle Sandilands
congratulated The Daily Telegraph and Senator Conroy.
"That's good news," he told 2Day FM listeners.
"So the Stop the Trolls campaign has worked. Well done. Good on you guys."
Twitter's move made headlines worldwide with the CBS-owned technology website ZDNet reporting the result.
Senator
Conroy yesterday told Channel 9 the win was vital in sending a message
to those who use fake or anonymous accounts to abuse others.
"We've
got to send a message, and Twitter are now on board, to send the
message that this sort of behaviour is not acceptable, that you can't
hide behind anonymity."
source: The Telegraph, Sep 21 2012
