Australia Permanently Bans Antisemitic Streamer Sneako

Australia has permanently barred American streamer and internet personality Sneako from entering the country after officials revoked his visa following backlash over his presence in Australia.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed today that Sneako, whose real name is Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, had been issued a lifetime entry ban after authorities reviewed his visa status. “He will never be able to return to Australia,” Burke said.

The decision came after Sky News Australia reported that the controversial online figure had entered the country despite a long history of antisemitic and extremist rhetoric. Burke said the government used updated immigration powers passed earlier this year to revoke the visa and prevent future applications.

“Our government has made very clear that we will use every power available to us to protect our community from people who come to the country to spread hate,” Burke said.

According to Australian reports, public criticism intensified after Sneako’s arrival became public. Opposition politicians and commentators questioned how he had been granted a visa in the first place, while an online petition calling for his removal reportedly gathered nearly 10,000 signatures.

Opposition Home Affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam accused the government of allowing an antisemite into the country before later reversing course. “He praises Hitler. He is an antisemite,” Duniam said, according to Australian media reports.

Sneako, who has more than one million followers on X, has repeatedly faced criticism and platform suspensions over inflammatory content. Israeli and Australian media reports described him as promoting rhetoric associated with neo-Nazism, Islamist extremism, and the online “manosphere” movement.

In past videos, he was filmed chanting Nazi slogans and calling for jihad against Jews. He has also been criticized for misogynistic commentary and extremist political statements.

Australian officials reportedly reviewed his visa after renewed scrutiny surrounding his online activity and public appearances in the country. During his stay, Sneako posted content from Australia and appeared alongside former rugby star Sonny Bill Williams in social media videos.

Reports said the visa was canceled Tuesday, after which Sneako left Australia. Responding to the controversy on X, he wrote: “Thanks for having me Australia.” In another response, he dismissed reports of his deportation, saying: “I’m just on my way home.”

Burke said the visa cancellation provisions used in the case had recently been strengthened by parliament. “This means that not only was the current visa canceled, but he is now subject to a lifetime ban preventing him from applying for another visa to Australia,” he said.

Australia has taken similar action in other high-profile cases tied to antisemitism and hate speech. Last year, authorities blocked rapper Kanye West from entering the country after the release of his song “Heil Hitler,” which was later removed from major music platforms.

Burke defended the government’s decision against Sneako with a blunt closing message: “We are a better country when he is somewhere else.”