TikTok battle concerns fuel review of Online Safety Act

The Online Safety Commission says Fiji's Online Safety Act 2018 may need updating to keep pace with today's digital challenges.

Commissioner Filipe Batiwale says stakeholders reviewing the legislation have raised questions about stronger enforcement tools and proactive intervention powers, particularly as concerns grow over harmful content on social media platforms such as TikTok.

There have been growing concerns over explicit conduct during social media livestreams, particularly TikTok battles.

Under the current legislation, the commission's powers are largely complaint-driven, meaning it can generally act only after a report has been received.

Mr Batiwale said stakeholders reviewing the Act had raised concerns about whether the existing framework was sufficient to address emerging online harms and rapid technological changes.

“As part of the ongoing review of the Online Safety Act 2018, stakeholders have raised important questions about whether additional regulatory tools, enforcement mechanisms and proactive intervention powers may be appropriate in addressing emerging online harms and technological developments.

“No final recommendations have been adopted, and the review process remains ongoing. However, it is clear that the online environment today is very different from the one that existed when the legislation was first enacted,” he said.

Mr Batiwale said that while the review continues, the Commission remains able to assist affected individuals, assess complaints received under the Act, engage with platforms over harmful content that remains online, and work with relevant authorities where appropriate.