Australia’s eSafety Commission, the world’s first government agency dedicated to keeping people safe online, has recently imposed a fine of 610,500 Australian dollars ($385,000) on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). The fine comes as a consequence of X’s failure to provide adequate explanations regarding how it combats child sexual exploitation content. This move by the eSafety Commission reflects the country’s commitment to protecting its citizens from the proliferation of harmful and illegal content in the cyber realm.
The eSafety Commission issued legal transparency notices to X and other platforms earlier this year, seeking clarification on their measures to address issues such as child sexual exploitation, sexual extortion, and livestreaming of child sexual abuse. Both X and Google were found to be noncompliant, as they did not sufficiently respond to the inquiries posed in the notices. X, now under new ownership by Elon Musk and renamed as X, was the worst offender, providing no answers to certain questions, including the number of staff on the trust and safety team working on preventing harmful and illegal content since Musk’s takeover. This lack of cooperation suggests an attitude of defiance on X’s part, according to eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant.
X has the option to challenge the imposed fine in the Australian Federal Court. However, the court has the authority to increase the penalty to up to AU$780,000 ($493,402) per day since March, when the eSafety Commission first discovered X’s noncompliance with the transparency notice. In addition to the fine, the commission intends to exert further pressure on X through additional notices, urging the platform to enhance its transparency efforts. The eSafety Commission is resolute in its commitment to holding X accountable for its actions and ensuring a safer online environment.
Prioritizing Child Protection
While Google received a formal warning from the eSafety Commission for providing generic responses to specific questions, the company maintains that child protection remains a top priority. Google’s regional director, Lucinda Longcroft, stated that the company has developed various technologies to proactively detect, remove, and report child sexual abuse material. She emphasized that protecting children on their platforms is of paramount importance, and Google has been actively investing in efforts to combat the spread of such content since its early days.
The eSafety Commission’s fine on X underscores the vital need for transparency and accountability in addressing child sexual exploitation content online. As Australia takes a firm stance against harmful online practices, platforms like X and Google are expected to actively contribute to the fight against such content. This pivotal moment highlights the shared responsibility of both tech companies and regulatory agencies in safeguarding the online space for all users, particularly vulnerable individuals such as children. The eSafety Commission’s actions send a powerful message that noncompliance will not be tolerated, and that further penalties may be imposed until platforms demonstrate a genuine commitment to protecting users from harmful content.
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