Australia’s internet watchdog, eSafety, has decided to drop its court case against Elon Musk’s social media platform ‘X’ over the posting of a violent video.
The case, which sought to compel ‘X’ to remove footage of a church stabbing in Sydney, marked a significant test of Australia’s ability to enforce its laws on global social media platforms.
The controversy began when footage of a stabbing incident at a Sydney church was shared on ‘X’.
In response, the platform initially blocked access to the posts within Australia while it prepared for a legal challenge.
Subsequently, the Federal Court intervened, ordering ‘X’ to temporarily hide the video globally.
Julie Inman-Grant, the eSafety commissioner, highlighted the primary goal of the legal action: preventing the violent footage from going viral.
She questioned the necessity of allowing such graphic material to be available online, especially to children.
“This case highlights the need for stringent controls over violent content online,” said Inman-Grant.
“We must ensure that our digital environments are safe for all users, particularly vulnerable populations.”
Despite the case being dropped, eSafety maintained its commitment to holding tech companies accountable to Australian laws and prioritizing public safety.
Inman-Grant reaffirmed that the organization will continue to push for compliance and responsibility from social media platforms.
The incident at the Sydney church is part of a broader context of rising violence, as it occurred shortly after another stabbing incident at a Sydney shopping center, which resulted in six deaths and multiple injuries.
Following the church attack, a 16-year-old boy has been charged with a terrorism offence.
