Racism and hate are running rampant online, and Australia’s race discrimination commissioner is sounding the alarm. But here’s where it gets controversial: he’s pointing the finger directly at social media companies, accusing them of allowing antisemitic and racist content to spread unchecked—and even profiting from it. Could these platforms be complicit in fueling real-world violence? That’s the chilling question raised after the devastating Bondi beach terror attack, which left 15 people dead.
In a candid interview with Guardian Australia, Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman didn’t hold back. “Turning off the tap of online hate isn’t in the interest of social media platforms,” he said. “Unfortunately, racism and hate can be profitable.” His words are a stark reminder of the dark side of algorithms that prioritize engagement over safety.
Speaking at a Queensland Council of Unions meeting on International Migrants Day, Sivaraman highlighted a missed opportunity: the government’s failure to adopt the Australian Human Rights Commission’s national anti-racism framework. Launched in November 2024, this roadmap includes 63 recommendations, from legal protections against online hate to a dedicated taskforce to tackle racism. “That taskforce could have—and still can—identify urgent priorities, especially to combat antisemitism,” he emphasized.
And this is the part most people miss: the framework’s lack of adoption and funding has left a critical gap in Australia’s fight against hate. Even after the Bondi tragedy, Sivaraman argued, the taskforce could have convened urgently to address immediate concerns. “The failure to support this framework has stalled progress in combating antisemitism,” he said.
Sivaraman’s frustration was palpable. “My heart goes out to the Jewish community,” he said, visibly emotional. But his concerns extend beyond antisemitism. “Many other communities are affected by racism, and it’s going to get worse before it gets better,” he warned. He specifically flagged alarming online messages promoting a “Cronulla 2.0”—a chilling reference to the race-fueled riots of 20 years ago. “It’s a call to target people of Middle Eastern origin,” he explained.
Watching the “senseless violence” unfold in Bondi left him “shell-shocked and sickened.” Yet, he remains determined. “You pick yourself up and ask: What can we do? How can we make a difference?”
While no single action can prevent atrocities like Bondi, Sivaraman believes the anti-racism framework is a critical part of the solution. “It’s not too late,” he urged. “But we need action—now.”
Here’s the controversial question: Are social media companies doing enough to curb hate speech, or are they prioritizing profit over public safety? And what role should governments play in holding them accountable? Let’s discuss—because the stakes have never been higher.
