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Guide encouraging Muslim travellers to ‘clear out’ their social media threads has come under fire. Photo: AFP/Yasser Al-Zayyat
AN AUSTRALIAN Muslim organisation has been criticised for potentially encouraging travellers to conceal information from border authorities after it advised Australian Muslims to clear out their telephone storage and social media threads when travelling overseas.
A fact sheet published by the Muslim Legal Network NSW provided tips for those planning to travel overseas, suggesting they should be cautious of their digital footprint.
It advises that Muslims should “know what is stored on your electronic devices” and to “clear out your telephone storage”, including WhatsApp and Facebook threads, as well as “delete any photos or videos that could be misinterpreted as portraying or encouraging acts of violence”.
The travel tips were published in the latest version of the Muslim Legal Network’s guide to Australia’s anti-terrorism laws, and also includes 13 other tips including pack your own bag and ensure you have valid travel documents before arriving at the airport.
In addition, it provides information about who the Australian Border Force is and what their powers and responsibilities are.
Muslim travellers have been urged to take stock of their digital footprint. Photo: Carl Court/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
However, the guide sparked concern from the Australian government, who were afraid it could encourage would-be terrorists to evade authorities.
In a statement to The Australian, Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton said the travel tips made him “very concerned” and that he would be demanding clarification on “what purpose is served in providing the advice”.
“In the current international climate, I am very concerned this guidance could be interpreted as advice to evade Border Force and conceal illegal activity,” Mr Dutton wrote.
“Australian Border Force protects Australians and non-Australians alike, as they cross our borders every day. It is important that we provide whatever support we can to enable these officers to undertake their duties effectively.”
The Muslim Legal Network NSW has since responded to Mr Dutton’s comments saying it is “disappointed” the advice was misconstrued in such a sinister manner.
It claimed the advice is in line with the Australian Border Force’s own guidelines and was published to educate travellers so they can better understand and abide by their obligations under the law.
“The information provided in the Publication is consistent with both the Australian Border Force’s border clearance fact sheet for Hajj pilgrims and the advice provided by the Australian Signals Directorate, ‘Travelling overseas with an electronic device’,” the organisation said in a statement.
“The Publication in no way seeks to instruct individuals on ways in which to evade detection of criminal activities and to impose such a sinister interpretation is misleading and a great disappointment to the many experts who have worked tirelessly to fill an information gap for the community on Australia’s complex counter terrorism legislation.
The latest guide comes after the US announced laptop restrictions on flights originating from 10 airports in largely Muslim countries. Photo: AFP PHOTO/ANWAR AMROSource:AFP
Despite this, the Muslim Legal Network NSW said it would amend the publication to make it “abundantly clear” that the purpose is to advise community members to be mindful of inadvertent acts that can cause “unwarranted suspicion”.
“The aim of the MLN NSW has been and remains, service to our community through advocacy and educational programs aimed at raising awareness of the law and assisting people to act within its boundaries.”
The guide, called Anti-Terrorism Laws: ASIO, the Police and You, was first published in 2004 in response to a desire within the Muslim community to better understand emerging terror laws.