SYDNEY, Australia – The cyber safety regulator in Australia has made a decision to stop pursuing legal action against X, a platform owned by Elon Musk. This comes after a setback in the federal court when a judge rejected a bid to extend a temporary order for the removal of videos depicting the stabbing of an Assyrian church bishop in Sydney, which authorities classified as a terrorist attack.
Commissioner Julie Inman Grant expressed concern over the accessibility of graphic content, particularly by children, on X. Grant emphasized the importance of preventing violent material from going viral and potentially inciting more harm in the community. Despite issuing a notice to remove the video, X refused to take it down globally, citing censorship concerns.
The standoff between Musk and Australian officials, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has been marked by heated debates. Albanese criticized Musk as an “arrogant billionaire” for objecting to the removal of the video. While other major platforms complied with the request to remove the video, X opted to geo-block Australian users instead of removing the content globally.
The legal battle underscores the challenges of regulating online content in a global context. The effectiveness of geo-blocking measures, as proposed by X, is being questioned given the prevalence of tools such as virtual private networks that can circumvent such restrictions. Grant stands by the decisions made by the eSafety commissioner and stresses the importance of ensuring online safety for all users.
In the aftermath of the incident where a 16-year-old boy was charged with a terrorism offense for the attack in April, concerns have been raised about the impact of violent content on social media. The implications of this case extend beyond the legal realm and delve into the broader debate surrounding the responsibilities of online platforms in protecting users from harmful content. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, the balancing act between freedom of expression and safeguarding against violence remains a pressing issue.