Elon Musk’s X to Challenge Australian Watchdog’s Order
Elon Musk’s X has announced its intention to fight against an Australian watchdog’s directive to remove content related to the brutal stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a livestreamed church service in Sydney.
Background
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was attacked by a 16-year-old suspect, resulting in injuries to his head and chest. The incident led to a riot among followers of the Assyrian Christian Church in Sydney.
The bishop, currently recovering in the hospital, has expressed forgiveness towards his assailant.
Response from X
X’s government affairs department initially complied with the eSafety directive to remove specific posts in Australia related to the attack. However, the platform later received a demand to globally withhold the posts, facing potential fines for non-compliance.
Elon Musk criticized the eSafety Commissioner’s request for global content bans, stating that it exceeds the commissioner’s authority.
Current Situation
The eSafety watchdog is working towards ensuring X’s compliance with Australian law and is considering further regulatory actions. It expressed disappointment over the prolonged process and emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of Australians.
Reactions
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns criticized social media platforms for their role in circulating violent content and called for stronger regulations to hold them accountable.
“We have had enough. Sydney has had enough,” Minns stated, highlighting the need for stricter rules governing social media companies.
