Aus PM Slams Elon Musk as ‘Arrogant Billionaire' in Video Spat
Australia's Prime Minister didn't mince words when he called out Elon Musk, labeling him an “arrogant billionaire” amidst a heated dispute over footage of a recent Sydney church stabbing. The tension escalated when an Australian court mandated Musk's social media platform, previously known as Twitter, to conceal videos of the Sydney attack.
Initially, Musk's platform had agreed to comply with the order while awaiting a legal challenge. However, things took a turn when Musk opted for a meme to accuse the Australian government of censorship. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn't hold back, accusing Musk of thinking he's above the law and common decency.
The conflict arose when Australia's eSafety Commissioner warned Musk's platform and others of significant fines if they didn't remove the stabbing videos promptly. The commissioner sought court intervention after observing that the platform continued to grant access to the footage outside Australia.
Albanese expressed disbelief at the platform's refusal to comply, emphasizing the need for social media to embrace responsibility. Musk, in response, thanked the PM sarcastically for highlighting his platform as the only truthful one, and even depicted a path to “freedom” leading to his platform's logo.
The tension between Musk and the eSafety Commissioner also flared up, with Musk personally targeting Commissioner Julie Inman Grant as the “Australian censorship commissar.” Albanese stood by Grant, emphasizing her role in safeguarding Australians against harmful content.
The court's injunction, effective until Wednesday, marks a temporary resolution to the conflict. However, legal proceedings between Musk's platform and the eSafety Commissioner are ongoing, focusing on the platform's handling of child abuse material online, indicating a broader regulatory battle.
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