Encrypted messaging apps should be regulated to tackle extremism, Victorian inquiry hears

Experts say spread of misinformation and use of encrypted services drives far-right extremists and racism

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The federal government needs to take action against encrypted messaging apps like Telegram to curb the rise of far-right extremism, a Victorian inquiry has been told.

Dr Belinda Barnet, a media lecturer at Swinburne University, told a hearing that far-right extremists had initially been sharing hateful content on mainstream sites such as Facebook and Twitter but were increasingly being deplatformed.

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