YouTube defends video calling Sydney survivor a ‘crisis actor’
10 reported
A Google executive told a government inquiry on Tuesday that a YouTube video falsely claiming a wounded survivor of an antisemitic massacre in Sydney was a crisis actor with makeup met the platform's standards and would remain online. Google Australia manager Rachel Lord was testifying at an inquiry into the spread of antisemitism in Australia, including a December attack by two gunmen on a Sydney Hanukkah celebration that left 15 dead. Lord was questioned about a complaint from survivor Arsen Ostrovsky, who was attacked online after an image of blood streaming from his head was posted on X two hours after he was shot. Lord said the decision to keep the video online had been reviewed at "quite senior levels." The video shows four men on split screen saying Ostrovsky's bleeding head appeared "very crisis actor-ish" and mentioned "makeup," also describing him as an "intelligence asset" with a "degree in theater." The video also calls Ostrovsky a Zionist and claims the massacre was a "false flag operation," while police allege the shooters were inspired by the Islamic State group. Ostrovsky told the inquiry last month he had been targeted by online hate, abuse, vilification, and AI manipulation since suffering a minor head wound on Dec. 14.
What’s reported
A Google executive told an inquiry that a YouTube video falsely claiming a Sydney massacre survivor was a crisis actor met platform standards and would remain online.
Google Australia manager Rachel Lord testified at a government inquiry into antisemitism in Australia.
The attack on a Sydney Hanukkah celebration in December left 15 dead, with police alleging shooters Sajid and Naveed Akram were inspired by the Islamic State group.
Survivor Arsen Ostrovsky was attacked online after an image of blood streaming from his head was posted on X two hours after he was shot.
The video shows four men on split screen saying Ostrovsky's bleeding head appeared "very crisis actor-ish" and mentioned "makeup," also describing him as an "intelligence asset" with a "degree in theater."
The video describes Ostrovsky as a Zionist and claims the massacre was a "false flag operation."
Lord said the decision to keep the video online was reviewed at "quite senior levels."
YouTube told Australia's online safety regulator three days after the massacre that the platform was "focused on ensuring Australians and all users around the world have access to high quality information about the tragic events."
Ostrovsky told the inquiry last month he had been targeted by online hate, abuse, vilification, and AI manipulation since suffering a minor head wound on Dec. 14.
The inquiry was shown an AI-generated image of Ostrovsky apparently laughing as someone applied fake blood to his head.
Key figures
Rachel Lord, Google Australia manager
Arsen Ostrovsky, survivor of the Sydney Hanukkah celebration attack
Richard Lancaster, lawyer leading the inquiry's evidence
Sajid and Naveed Akram, father and son shooters alleged by police to be inspired by the Islamic State group
Sources: abcnews.com
