Elon Musk criticizes Australia's misinformation law, calls it 'fascist'
What's the story
Elon Musk, the tech billionaire behind Tesla, X, and SpaceX, has publicly criticized Australia's proposed legislation aimed at curbing online misinformation. The new law could impose fines up to 5% of global revenue on social media companies that fail to prevent the spread of false information on their platforms. In response to this proposal, Musk labeled the Australian government as "fascists."
Twitter Post
Take a look at Musk's post
Fascists https://t.co/NQcR9justJ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 12, 2024
Law details
Australia's new law demands conduct codes from tech firms
The proposed Australian legislation requires tech platforms to establish conduct codes aimed at limiting the spread of harmful misinformation. These codes must be approved by a regulatory authority. If a platform fails to meet these standards, the regulator has the power to impose its own. This move is part of a global effort to regulate tech giants and their influence on information dissemination.
Past conflict
Musk's previous clash with Australian government over free speech
This is not the first time Musk has clashed with the Australian government over issues related to free speech and online content regulation. Earlier this year, he challenged a cyber regulator's order to remove certain posts about a high-profile incident in Sydney. The situation escalated when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Musk as an "arrogant billionaire."
Official response
Australian officials respond to Musk's criticism
In response to Musk's criticism of the proposed law, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones dismissed his comments as "crackpot stuff." He argued that social media platforms should not allow scam content, deepfake materials, and livestream violence under the guise of free speech. Jones emphasized that this legislation is about sovereignty and ensuring the safety of Australians.