Australia’s new online safety measures came into force on Sunday, which could mean social media platforms are now able to be forced to take down offending posts and, in some cases, unmask the identity of anonymous posters. The wide-ranging Online Safety Act, which passed in 2021, grants new powers to eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant. She said the new rule would make online service providers “more accountable” for the safety of people who use their services and protect Australians experiencing serious cyber abuse. Under the Act, Australian adults and children can report online harm to the commissioner. After a removal notice is issued, the platform must take down the reported post within 24 hours or risk a fine of up to 500 penalty units—up to $111,000 for individuals (US$79,400) and up to $555,000 for companies (US$39,000). The new changes would see big tech companies compelled to develop new codes to …