MELBOURNE, Australia
A Google executive has stated during an inquiry that a YouTube video, which incorrectly alleged that a survivor of an antisemitic attack in Sydney was a crisis actor covered in makeup, adhered to the platform’s policies and would not be taken down.
Rachel Lord, who manages Google Australia, was giving testimony at a government inquiry focused on rising antisemitism in Australia, particularly an incident involving two gunmen at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney last December that resulted in 15 fatalities.
Lord faced questioning regarding a complaint from survivor Arsen Ostrovsky, who had been vilified online following the release of a photo showing blood from his head wound just two hours post-attack on a social media platform.
She mentioned that the decision to keep the video on YouTube was reviewed by high-level officials. “We’ve spent a lot of time considering where to draw the line and we’re constantly reassessing that,” Lord stated.
During the inquiry, Richard Lancaster, the lawyer leading the investigation, referenced a transcript of the video to prevent displaying the content publicly. In the video, four men appeared on a split screen, suggesting that Ostrovsky’s injury seemed “very crisis actor-ish” and talked about “makeup.” They also labeled him an “intelligence asset” with a “degree in theater.”
The video further characterized Ostrovsky as a Zionist and claimed the attack was a “false flag operation.” Authorities accused father and son shooters, Sajid and Naveed Akram, of being influenced by the Islamic State group.
Lancaster highlighted that the video’s availability illustrated a “really serious deficiency” in YouTube’s hate speech policies. Lord acknowledged this concern, expressing appreciation for Lancaster’s “feedback.”
Following the attack, YouTube informed Australia’s online safety regulator that it aimed to provide users access to quality information regarding the tragic event, according to Lord.
Ostrovsky, in his previous testimony, revealed he endured online hate, abuse, and manipulation since suffering his head injury on December 14. The inquiry then displayed an AI-generated image that portrayed Ostrovsky seemingly laughing while fake blood was applied to his head.
