Elon Musk's X Platform in Legal Battle with Australian Government over Content Removal
Elon Musk's social media platform, X, is locked in a legal battle with the Australian government over the removal of graphic content, including videos of the recent Sydney stabbings.
The eSafety Commissioner issued a take-down notice for the content, but X initially refused to comply, arguing that it was an infringement on free speech. The government then took legal action, and the Federal Court granted a two-day injunction ordering X to hide the material worldwide.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed concern over X's initial refusal to comply with the order, stating that social media platforms have a social responsibility. He also emphasized that this issue is not about freedom of expression.
This is not the first time X has been involved in legal proceedings with the Australian government. In a previous incident, X refused to remove posts that harassed an Australian World Health Organization panel member, and the company is also facing a fine for failing to cooperate with a probe into anti-child-abuse practices.
The government is currently exploring ways to address harmful content online. The proposed online safety act would give the eSafety Commissioner broader powers to order the removal of such content, but it would not have the power to demand posts be removed. The government is seeking support from the Coalition to pass this legislation.
In the meantime, the eSafety Commissioner has sent legal notices to various social media platforms, including X, demanding they show their measures to protect Australians from online extremism.
The outcome of this legal battle between X and the Australian government will have significant implications for how social media platforms handle harmful content in the future.