Social media platform X has vowed to challenge Australia’s online safety watchdog regarding posts about a .
The platform’s Global Government Affairs team announced on Saturday that Australia’s eSafety Commissioner had demanded the removal of posts discussing the attack.
However, they argued that the posts did not violate X’s rules on violent speech.
The team stated that the regulator instructed X to “globally block these posts or face a daily fine of $785,000”.
“X believes that the eSafety’s directive exceeded Australian law and while we complied temporarily, we plan to legally challenge it,” the Global Government Affairs team stated on Saturday.
“Although X respects a country’s right to enforce its laws, the eSafety Commissioner does not have the authority to control what content X’s users can access worldwide.
“We will vigorously contest this unlawful and concerning approach in court.”
The commissioner has indicated that it is contemplating further regulatory action, following the instruction for social media platforms to delete graphic content depicting recent violence in Sydney.
There have been increasing calls for stricter penalties for social media platforms in the aftermath of the after disturbing footage of the attack circulated online and false information spread.
“We will take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with these directives,” the watchdog stated in a release on Friday.
“Regarding X Corp, eSafety is working to guarantee the company’s complete adherence to Australian law.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns criticized X on Saturday, emphasizing the need to enhance penalties for social media companies.
“This behavior is typical of X, Twitter, or any other similar platform – a lack of concern for the misinformation they disseminate in our communities, allowing lies and rumors to spread uncontrollably,” Mr. Minns remarked to reporters.
“Then, when things go awry, they claim they are unable to take action.”
