By Renju Jose
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X, called Australia’s centre-left government “fascists” on Friday over a proposed law that would impose fines on social media companies that fail to prevent the spread of misinformation online.
Australia’s Labor government on Thursday introduced a bill that would fine internet platforms up to 5% of their global turnover for spreading disinformation, joining a global push to clamp down on tech giants who operate across borders.
The proposed law would require tech platforms to create codes of conduct to stop the spread of dangerous lies, and have them approved by a regulator. The regulator would set its own standards if a platform failed to do so, and fine companies for non-compliance.
Musk, who sees himself as a champion of free speech, responded to a post from an X user who linked the Reuters article about the Disinformation Act to one word: “Fascists.”
A spokesperson for Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said in an email that companies operating in Australia must comply with Australian law.
“This bill improves the transparency and accountability of platforms for users and the Australian public,” Rowland said.
Musk’s comment about fighting disinformation drew criticism and ridicule from other members of the administration.
“Elon Musk had more views on free speech than the Kama Sutra. If it’s in the commercial interest he’s the champion of free speech and if he doesn’t like it … he’s going to shut everything down,” Public Services Minister Bill Shorten told Channel Nine’s morning show.
Social media platforms should not be allowed to publish scam content, deepfake material and livestream violence in the name of freedom of expression, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones told ABC Television.
In an earlier dispute with the Australian government, X went to court in April to challenge a cyber watchdog’s order to remove several posts about the stabbing of a bishop in Sydney, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to call Musk an “arrogant billionaire”.
The regulator later dropped the case against X after a setback in federal court.
X had blocked Australian users from viewing the stabbing posts, but refused to remove them globally, arguing that one country’s rules should not apply to the internet.
(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Sonali Paul)