The Federal Court of Australia has mandated that Elon Musk’s social media network, X, remove videos of a recent stabbing attack at a Sydney church. The injunction, issued during a late-night session in Sydney, requires the platform to temporarily block all recordings of the 15 April terrorist incident until a further hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
The decision has sparked a fiery debate over free speech and the jurisdiction of national laws over global digital platforms. Responding to the court's order, Musk criticised the Australian government, suggesting that the directive to remove the content was an act of censorship and an overreach of its authority. On X, Musk shared an image declaring the platform as a defender of free speech, while questioning the right of one country to impose censorship across international borders. He expressed concerns over the precedent such actions might set for global internet governance.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the court’s decision, stressing the importance of adhering to local laws and the social responsibility of tech companies. In an interview with Sky News, Albanese labeled Musk as “arrogant” and accused him of prioritising personal pride over the public good, particularly highlighting the distressing nature of the violent content in question.
The controversy began after Australia’s eSafety commissioner directed several social media companies, including X and Meta Platforms Inc., to remove the graphic video depicting the attack. While other platforms complied with the order, X resisted, arguing that the Australian commissioner did not possess the authority to control what content should be visible to its global audience. This defiance has led to a backlash from Australian officials and renewed calls for stricter regulations on social media, particularly concerning the spread of misinformation and violent content.
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