ASIO boss says privacy ‘not absolute’ as he urges social media companies to do more on extremism

Mike Burgess also warns artificial intelligence ‘likely to make radicalisation easier and faster’

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Social media companies must do more to stamp out extremism and assist law enforcement to track criminals, the heads of Australia’s federal police and security agencies have urged.

In comments likely to provoke criticism from some civil and digital rights campaigners, Asio director general Mike Burgess will use a major speech on Wednesday to argue “privacy is important but not absolute”, while AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw believes “there is no absolute right to privacy”.

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