This Safer Internet Day we highlight the role of developers, startups and enterprise tech companies in making digital spaces safer and more inclusive to protect those most at risk. The Safety by Design approach from Australia’s eSafety Commission positions user safety as a fundamental design consideration from the get-go.

What is Safety by Design?

Safety by Design puts user safety and rights at the centre of the design and development of online products and services. 

Rather than retrofitting safeguards after an issue has occurred, Safety by Design focuses on the ways technology companies can minimise online threats by anticipating, detecting and eliminating online harms before they occur.

This proactive and preventative approach focuses on embedding safety into the culture and leadership of an organisation. It emphasises accountability and aims to foster more positive, civil and rewarding online experiences for everyone.

Safety by Design also acknowledges the need to make digital spaces safer and more inclusive to protect those most at risk.

It encourages technology companies to alter their design ethos from ‘moving fast and breaking things’ or ‘profit at all costs’ to ‘moving thoughtfully’, investing in risk mitigation at the front end and embedding user protections from the get-go. 

All Safety by Design initiatives have been developed through in-depth research and consultation with industry for industry which began in 2018. Key initiatives include:

• a set of principles that position user safety as a fundamental design consideration

• interactive assessment tools for enterprise and start up technology companies

• resources for investors and financial entities

• engagement with the tertiary education sector to embed Safety by Design into curricula around the world. 

Safety by Design principles

1. Service provider responsibility

The burden of safety should never fall solely upon the user. Every attempt must be made to ensure that online harms are understood, assessed and addressed in the design and provision of online platforms and services. This involves assessing the potential risks of online interactions upfront and taking active steps to engineer out potential misuse, reducing people’s exposure to harms.

2. User empowerment and autonomy

The dignity of users is of central importance. Products and services should align with the best interests of users. This principle speaks to the dignity of users, and the need to design features and functionality that preserve fundamental consumer and human rights. This means understanding that abuse can be intersectional, impacting on a user in multiple ways for multiple reasons, and that technology can deepen societal inequalities. To combat this, platforms and services need to engage in meaningful consultation with diverse and at-risk groups, to ensure their features and functions are accessible to all.

3. Transparency and accountability

Transparency and accountability are hallmarks of a robust approach to safety. They not only provide assurances that platforms and services are operating according to their published safety objectives, but also assist in educating and empowering users about steps they can take to address safety concerns.

The publication of information relating to how companies are enforcing their own policies and data on the efficacy of safety features or innovations will allow accurate assessment of what is working. If interventions are improving safety outcomes for users or deterring online abuse, these innovations should be shared and more widely adopted.

How can your company improve user safety?

Start by assessing how well your company's systems, processes and practices support user safety, then use your tailored report and the suggested resources to make improvements. 

The enterprise tool is for mid-tier companies (50 to 249 employees worldwide) and top-tier companies (250+ employees worldwide).

The start up tool is for early stage or start-up companies (1 to 49 employees worldwide).

GO TO TOOLS

Feedback and collaboration are welcome. Find out more about how to collaborate on Safety by Design initiatives.

For more information please read the Safety by Design principles and background and the frequently asked questions about the assessment tools. You can also find out more about how eSafety protects your privacy.[KH2] 

This Safer Internet Day, play it safe and fair online. 

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner is calling on everyone to #PlayitFairOnline. This hashtag reflects the responsibility all of us have in ensuring that we have a positive and safe online experience. There is no place for online abuse. We can all help to make life online enjoyable by being kind and respectful to each other.

Find out more at Safer Internet Day.

Watch now: 'All Tech is Human'

All Tech Is Human's David Ryan Polgar has a conversation with Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant for the recent report, Improving Social Media: The People, Organizations, and Ideas for a Better Tech Future.