Australia government orders Elon Musk’s X to take down church stabbing video, sparking clash

Elon Musk, the outspoken CEO of X, formerly known as Twitter, found himself in hot water with Australia’s prime minister after a court ordered his social media company to take down footage of a terrorist attack in Sydney. The incident involved a teenager charged with terrorism for stabbing an Assyrian priest and others, and the footage was deemed too explicit by Australia’s e-safety commissioner.

Musk, known for his bold statements and controversial opinions, took to social media to criticize the ruling, questioning whether any country should have jurisdiction over the entire internet. He lambasted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, asking if he believed he should have control over all online content worldwide.

The clash between Musk and the Australian government highlights the ongoing battle between internet platforms and governments seeking more oversight over the content hosted on them. This is not the first time X has faced legal challenges in Australia, as the company was fined last year for failing to cooperate with a probe on anti-child abuse practices.

Despite X’s efforts to block the content in question for Australian users, the video of the attack was still viewable on the platform, raising concerns about the company’s ability to effectively moderate harmful content. Musk’s comments have sparked outrage from critics, with some accusing him of being an “arrogant billionaire” who believes he is above the law.

As the debate over online censorship and free speech continues to escalate, it remains to be seen how tech giants like X will navigate the complex landscape of internet regulation and user safety.