Australia’s Labor government on Thursday (12) unveiled legislation that could fine internet platforms up to 5% of their global revenues for enabling misinformation, joining a global effort to rein in tech giants.
The proposed law would require tech platforms to establish codes of conduct to prevent the spread of dangerous lies and have them approved by a regulator. The regulator would set its own standard if a platform fails to do so and would fine companies for non-compliance.
X owner Elon Musk, who considers himself a defender of free speech, responded to a post from a social media user linking the Reuters story on the disinformation law with one word: “Fascists.”
A spokeswoman for Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said in an email that companies operating in Australia must comply with Australian laws.
“This bill improves transparency and accountability of platforms to users and the Australian people,” Rowland said.
Musk’s comment about cracking down on misinformation drew criticism and ridicule from other government lawmakers.
“Elon Musk has had more positions on free speech than the Kama Sutra. When it’s in his commercial interests he’s the champion of free speech and when it’s not in his interest… he’ll shut it down,” Government Services Minister Bill Shorten told Channel Nine’s morning show.
Social media platforms should not publish fraudulent content, false material and live violence in the name of freedom of expression, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones told broadcaster ABC.
In a previous clash with the Australian government, X went to court in April to challenge a cyber regulator’s order to remove some posts about the stabbing of a bishop in Sydney, 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.
OX blocked Australian users from seeing posts about the stabbing but refused to remove them globally, saying one country’s rules should not control the internet.
Why does the UN want to help countries regulate social media?
This content was originally published in Musk calls Australian government “fascist” after new law on disinformation on the website CNN Brasil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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