Battle Over Online Safety: Case Dropped Against Musk's X Corp

Australia's eSafety Commissioner dropped her Federal Court case demanding X Corp. remove a video of a Sydney bishop's stabbing. Instead, she continues legal action in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Elon Musk welcomed the decision, touting free speech. The legal battle includes multiple cases, spurred by threats against the commissioner and her family.

Australia's online safety watchdog announced Wednesday the withdrawal of her Federal Court case against X Corp., which aimed to remove a video showing a Sydney bishop being stabbed.

Despite this, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant will persist in her legal battle against the platform in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. The platform, rebranded X after billionaire Elon Musk acquired Twitter, faced criticism for its approach to content moderation. Musk responded positively to the case drop, emphasizing the importance of free speech. Parallel legal proceedings continue, driven by threats against Inman Grant and her family, including doxxing.

Minister Michelle Rowland affirmed support for Inman Grant's legal actions, emphasizing the threats faced by the commissioner. X was unique among social media in only geoblocking the content within Australia instead of globally removing it. The commission's lawsuit sought a global ban, which was overturned by a Federal Court judge. The ongoing legal disputes highlight challenges in balancing online safety and free speech.