Australia urges tech companies to block US execution livestream

Australian authorities are working to prevent the livestreaming of the upcoming US military execution of Nidal Hasan. Hasan, a former army officer, is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on December 3 following his 2009 shooting of 13 unarmed soldiers at a Texas base.

Communications Minister Anika Wells has met with Meta’s global head of safety to urge the company to block the broadcast on Facebook and Instagram. While the eSafety watchdog admitted it lacks the power to proactively prevent the broadcast, it has formally requested that tech companies “not to show” the event to the public.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the prospect of livestreaming the execution as “abhorrent,” noting Australia’s bipartisan opposition to the death penalty. Although US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth previously vowed the execution would be public to demonstrate consequences, reports suggest President Donald Trump may reconsider the decision to broadcast the killing.