Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticized Twitter CEO Elon Musk as “an arrogant billionaire who thinks he is above the law” amid a dispute over the removal of a violent video on the platform.
The Australian Federal Court recently ordered Twitter to temporarily remove footage of a stabbing incident in a Sydney church, which Musk has called censorship.
Albanese has stated that social media companies have a responsibility to act responsibly and that Australia is prepared to take action to ensure they comply.
Musk has responded by posting memes on Twitter mocking the Australian Prime Minister and defending the platform’s commitment to free speech. He has also raised concerns about the potential for countries to censor content for all users.
The e-Safety Commissioner of Australia maintains that violent posts should be removed for all users, even those accessing Twitter through VPNs.
Albanese has condemned Musk’s actions, stating that they show how out-of-touch he is and that Australia will take necessary steps to ensure compliance with the law.
