Elon Musk’s rebranded social media platform, X, has been fined AU$610,500 by Australia’s e-Safety Commission for non-cooperation in an inquiry regarding anti-child abuse practices.
This fine, though relatively small for Musk, raises significant worries about the platform’s dedication to user safety.
The issue arose when X didn’t adequately address queries about how it detects child abuse content and responds to it. Despite Musk’s assertion that tackling child exploitation was a top priority after taking over Twitter and rebranding it as X, the Australian regulator found X’s actions didn’t align with its words.
The impact of the fine extends beyond just the monetary value, tarnishing X’s reputation at a time when advertisers already have reservations. The platform has witnessed a decline in revenue, which may worsen if effective content moderation measures aren’t implemented.
Julie Inman Grant, the e-Safety Commissioner, raised a crucial question: if X genuinely aims to combat illegal content, why isn’t it transparent in its actions? The lack of satisfactory answers could imply a lack of viable solutions, she suggested.
Furthermore, X’s closure of its Australian office post-acquisition leaves no local representative to comment on this matter. If X doesn’t pay the fine, the e-Safety Commission has the option to take legal action against the company. This situation comes at an unfortunate time for X, as they’ve recently confirmed a significant global workforce reduction and admitted a decline in their proactive detection measures.
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