Christchurch attack inquiry to examine if Australian terrorist was radicalised online

Muslim group say coroner's decision to include gunman's social media activity in investigation a landmark moment for the accountability of digital platforms'

The online activities of the Australian white supremacist who opened fire on two New Zealand mosques - and how much of a role social media and internet platforms played in his radicalisation - will form part of a coroner's inquiry into the deaths of 51 Muslim worshipers in the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attack.

But the presiding coroner, Brigitte Windley, who announced the scope of her inquiry in a decision released on Thursday, has warned of monumental hurdles" to exploring the terrorist's online activities - including Brenton Tarrant's attempts to wipe parts of his digital footprint before committing the attacks.