Tech billionaire Elon Musk is facing backlash in Australia after a court ruling that his social media platform X must block users worldwide from accessing video of a bishop being stabbed in a Sydney church. Musk, who rebranded X in 2023 after buying Twitter, announced that the company would fight against Australian orders to take down posts related to the attack. The material was geoblocked in Australia, but available elsewhere, leading to a global ban on sharing the video.
The eSafety Commission, Australia’s government agency dedicated to online safety, successfully applied to the Federal Court for a temporary global ban on sharing the video of the stabbing. Justice Geoffrey Kennett suppressed the footage from all X users until a hearing on Wednesday for a permanent ban. Musk responded by posting a cartoon on his personal X account, criticizing censorship and propaganda. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized Musk as an “arrogant billionaire” who was out of touch with the public.
Albanese accused Musk of prioritizing ego over common sense and decency, stating that social media platforms should have social responsibility. The regulator’s lawyer argued in court that geoblocking Australia did not meet the definition of removal of the footage under Australian law, emphasizing the graphic and violent nature of the video. X’s lawyer was unable to get instructions from the company based in San Francisco. Musk has described the eSafety Commissioner as the “Australian censorship commissar.”
Posts related to the church attack and a knife attack at a Sydney shopping mall have exacerbated suffering, according to Albanese. The X Global Government Affairs team stated that the regulator demanded the removal of certain posts related to the church attack globally or face a daily fine. X believes that the regulator’s order was not within the scope of Australian law and has complied pending a legal challenge. The live feed of the church attack led to a riot that injured police officers and damaged vehicles, with several suspects arrested and charged.
Musk’s stance on free speech and censorship has sparked controversy, with Albanese condemning his actions in several media interviews. The debate highlights the challenges faced by social media platforms in balancing freedom of expression with the responsibility to prevent the dissemination of violent content. The legal battle between X and Australian regulators underscores the complexity of regulating online platforms operating globally. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of social media regulation in Australia and beyond.
