Elon Musk owner of social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), sparked controversy on Friday by calling Australia’s center-left government “fascists” in response to new legislation aimed at curbing online misinformation. The proposed law could impose hefty fines on social media companies that fail to prevent the spread of dangerous falsehoods, potentially fining firms up to 5% of their global revenue.
Australia’s Labor government announced the legislation on Thursday, which would require tech platforms to establish codes of conduct to manage misinformation. If platforms fail to implement appropriate standards, the country’s regulators could step in and enforce their own rules, levying penalties for non-compliance. The law is part of a global effort to hold tech giants accountable for the content on their platforms.
Musk, who has positioned himself as a free speech advocate, reacted to the legislation by replying to a post on X with a single word: “Fascists.” This comment drew both criticism and ridicule from Australian lawmakers.
Government Services Minister Bill Shorten remarked, “Elon Musk’s had more positions on free speech than the Kama Sutra. When it’s in his commercial interests, he’s a champion of free speech, and when he doesn’t like it, he wants to shut it all down.” Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones added that social media platforms must take responsibility for preventing the spread of harmful content, such as scams, deepfakes, and violent livestreams.
This isn’t Musk’s first clash with the Australian government. Earlier this year, X challenged a cyber regulator’s order to remove certain posts related to the stabbing of a bishop in Sydney. Musk argued that a single country shouldn’t have the power to control global internet content, leading to a legal battle that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized, referring to Musk as an “arrogant billionaire.” The regulator eventually dropped its challenge following a setback in federal court.
As debates over free speech and platform responsibility continue, Musk’s stance has reignited discussions about the role of tech companies in managing misinformation while navigating complex legal landscapes across different countries.
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