Australia’s Leader Slams Elon Musk as “Arrogant Billionaire” in Feud Over Social Media Content
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Australia’s Prime Minister has publicly criticized Elon Musk, branding the tech mogul as an “arrogant billionaire” amidst a heated dispute over the removal of disturbing footage on X’s platform.
Court Orders X to Hide Videos of Church Stabbing
An Australian court recently issued a ruling mandating Musk’s social media company, previously known as Twitter, to conceal videos depicting a recent church stabbing incident in Sydney. Despite X’s initial vow to comply pending legal challenges, tensions have continued to rise.
Prime Minister Slams Musk’s Response to Censorship Allegations
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese publicly rebuked Musk for his dismissive response, accusing the billionaire of believing himself to be above both the law and common decency. The clash intensified after Musk used a meme to accuse the Australian government of censorship.
Regulator Threatens Heavy Fines Over Stance on Violent Content
Following the incident, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner warned X and other social media platforms of significant penalties if they failed to remove the disturbing videos. The Commissioner sought legal action after determining that X was permitting global access to the footage.
Musk Fires Back with Online Posts
In a series of provocative online posts, Musk took aim at the Prime Minister and the eSafety Commissioner, further fueling the feud. The tech mogul’s remarks and imagery sparked further controversy and backlash.
Compliance Deadline Set in Ongoing Legal Battle
The platform has been given 24 hours to adhere to the court injunction, with additional legal proceedings anticipated in the near future. X and the eSafety Commissioner are already embroiled in a separate legal dispute regarding the handling of child abuse material on the platform.
