Risks posed by foreign interference to be examined

Foreign agents might not be slipping directly into your social media streams, but concerns remain about the damage bad actors can do on public networks.

A federal parliamentary committee is about to examine the risk posed to Australian democracy by foreign interference through popular online platforms, like TikTok.

Security and cyber experts, including a US Federal Communications Commission representative, will front a hearing in Canberra on Thursday.

Brendan Carr, the senior Republican commissioner on the USFCC, believes there should be a focus on the security risks posed by TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance.

The Australian government has banned TikTok on government devices in line with the US. 

TikTok denies it is harvesting sensitive data from its users or that is a national security risk.

But Mr Carr maintains the app functions as a sophisticated surveillance tool.

The national intelligence agency ASIO contends clandestine and deceptive acts of foreign interference can seriously damage Australia's national interests if left unchecked. 

ASIO says social media is a tool for foreign interference, including the dissemination of disinformation to harm or deceive Australians. 

The Australian Electoral Commission has also identified threats to local elections and trust in democratic processes.

"Protecting democracy involves delivering safe, secure and trusted electoral events," it said in a submission to the parliamentary inquiry.

"The AEC will continue to develop and strengthen both new and existing relationships with social media organisations, which play an ever-increasing role in electoral information."

This includes the electoral information related to the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous voice this year.

Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson, who chairs the Senate select committee, said social media platforms are increasingly being weaponised by authoritarian states to spread disinformation and undermine social cohesion.

"Given ASIO's assessment that foreign interference and espionage are Australia's biggest principal security concern, it's critical we strengthen our defences in all domains where this insidious activity is being orchestrated," he said.

"I am determined to ensure all options are on the table to protect the millions of Australians who use social media every day."

The committee, which is due to present its final report by August 1, will sit again on Friday to hear from human rights experts.