On Thursday, the Labor government announced it would fine internet platforms up to 5% of their global revenue for failing to prevent the dissemination of misinformation.With this new legislation, Australia has joined global efforts to regulate borderless tech giants, Reuters reported.
Under the proposed law, online platforms would be required to establish codes of conduct to prevent the spread of dangerous falsehoods and obtain approval from a regulator. If a platform fails to comply, the regulator will set its own standards and impose fines for non-compliance.
Musk responded to a post by an X user linking the Reuters story about the misinformation law with a single word: “Fascists.”
A spokesperson for communications minister Michelle Rowland stated via email that companies operating in Australia must adhere to Australian laws.
“This bill improves the transparency and accountability of platforms for users and the Australian people,” Rowland said.
Musk’s comment on the push against misinformation drew criticism and ridicule from other lawmakers.
“Elon Musk has had more positions on free speech than the Kama Sutra. When it’s in his commercial interests, he is the champion of free speech, and when he doesn’t like it… he’s going to shut it all down,” government services minister Bill Shorten told Channel Nine’s breakfast show, according to Reuters.
Assistant treasurer Stephen Jones told ABC television that social media platforms should not publish scam content, deepfake materials, or livestream violence under the guise of free speech.
In a previous clash with the Australian government, X challenged a cyber regulator’s order to remove posts about the stabbing of a bishop in Sydney in court in April, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to call Musk an “arrogant billionaire.”
The regulator later dropped its challenge against X after a setback in federal court.
X had blocked Australian users from viewing the posts about the stabbing but refused to remove them globally, arguing that one country’s rules should not dictate internet content.
Source : Times of India
