Elon Musk's X Challenges Australian Watchdog's Order to Remove Stabbing Posts

Elon Musk's social media platform X is challenging an order from the Australian eSafety watchdog to globally remove posts related to the stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a live-streamed church service in Sydney. The bishop was allegedly attacked by a 16-year-old suspect, and the video of the incident has been blamed for fueling tensions in the community.

X initially complied with a directive to remove certain posts in Australia, but the eSafety commissioner has now demanded that X globally withhold the posts, threatening a daily fine of US$500,000 if X fails to comply. X has stated that the eSafety commissioner does not have the authority to dictate global content moderation and that it will "robustly challenge this unlawful and dangerous approach in court."

The Australian government has criticized X's stance, with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns calling for stronger rules governing social media companies. "That is exactly what I would expect from X or Twitter or whatever you want to call it: a disregard for the information that they have pumped into our communities, lies and rumours spreading like wildfire," Minns said. The eSafety watchdog is working to ensure X's compliance with Australian law and is considering further regulatory action.

Why this matters: This case highlights the ongoing tension between social media platforms and government regulators over content moderation and free speech. The outcome could set a precedent for how much control national authorities can exert over global online content.

X claims it complied with the initial directive to remove certain posts in Australia, but it did not believe the orders were within the scope of Australian law. The company has accused the eSafety commissioner of pursuing global censorship and says it will robustly challenge this approach in court. The Australian government has pledged to back the eSafety commissioner in the legal battle against X and Musk.

Key Takeaways

• X challenges eSafety order to globally remove posts on Sydney church attack
• X claims eSafety lacks authority for global content moderation, will challenge in court
• Australian govt. criticizes X's stance, calls for stronger social media rules
• eSafety working to ensure X's compliance, considering further regulatory action
• Case highlights tension between platforms and regulators over content moderation