Tech mogul Elon Musk and the Australian government are embroiled in a dispute concerning social media content moderation.
The conflict stems from a court order demanding Musk’s company, X (formerly Twitter), to take down footage of an alleged terrorist attack in Sydney.
The Australian Federal Court argued that the video depicts graphic violence.
However, X chose to only restrict access to the content for Australian users, prompting intervention from the country’s e-Safety Commissioner.
Musk, known for advocating free speech, voiced his strong opposition on X, questioning the legality of a single nation dictating internet content and criticising Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s stance.
Albanese defended the court’s decision, emphasising the importance of shielding Australians from harmful content while accusing Musk of arrogance and a lack of regard for decency.
Spokesperson for the e-Safety Commissioner clarified that the takedown notice specifically targeted the attack footage, not related commentary or discussions. They stressed platforms’ responsibility to minimise potential harm.
Despite X’s efforts to block the video for Australian users, it remained accessible within the country, with a far-right senator managing to repost it.
In contrast, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, took proactive measures by using internal tools to block copies of the attack video and another unrelated incident. They also pledged to remove content glorifying such events.
An Australian internet policy expert criticized X’s current approach to user safety, highlighting a departure from its previous commitments under different leadership. This incident underscores the ongoing debate surrounding free speech and content moderation on social media platforms.
FRCN
