Royal Commission Examines YouTube Response To Bondi Attack Misinformation

YouTube has defended its decision to keep online a video that falsely questioned whether Bondi Beach terror attack survivor Arsen Ostrovsky was a genuine victim, as technology platforms faced questioning at the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

The video, which promoted claims that the Bondi attack was a “false flag” operation and alleged Ostrovsky’s injuries were staged, was reviewed by senior YouTube staff before the platform decided it did not breach its policies.

The video referenced a selfie Mr Ostrovsky posted of his injuries showing his head covered in blood, with one of those featured in the video claiming Mr Ostrovsky was wearing makeup.

“We know that Zionists do this sort of shit all the time. Like it’s false flag, after false flag, after false flag,” one man in the video said.

Despite the video being reported multiple times, it remains on the platform.

Google Australia executive Rachel Lord told the inquiry the content did not meet YouTube’s threshold for removal because its rules focus on denying events or fatalities, rather than questioning motivations or individual victimhood.

Counsel assisting the commission, Richard Lancaster, challenged the platform’s approach, describing the policy gap as a “serious deficiency” during questioning over the handling of harmful online content.

Lord said YouTube was continuing to review its policies and aimed to provide reliable information about major events, while maintaining its approach to content moderation.

The commission also heard evidence from TikTok about its moderation processes and the removal of content targeting the Jewish community. A TikTok executive told the inquiry the platform had removed hundreds of thousands of videos that breached safety and civility rules.

The hearing examined the role of social media platforms in the spread of antisemitic material, misinformation and online abuse following the Bondi Beach attack. Evidence before the commission has included concerns about altered images, false claims and other online content targeting survivors and members of the Jewish community.

Representatives from advocacy groups also raised concerns about the effectiveness of existing platform policies. Tahli Blicblau from the Dor Foundation told the inquiry that “the platform response is entirely out of step with normal community expectations” and questioned whether current laws and policies were effective or properly enforced.

The Royal Commission is examining antisemitism in Australia, responses from institutions and governments, and the impact of extremist and hateful content on social cohesion. The inquiry is continuing to hear evidence from technology companies and community representatives.