Published: 13:01, September 13, 2024
Musk calls Australian government 'fascists' over misinformation law
By Reuters
Elon Musk arrives at the 10th Breakthrough Prize Ceremony on April 13, 2024, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. (PHOTO / AP)

SYDNEY - Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X, on Friday called Australia's center-left government "fascists" over proposed legislation to slap fines on social media firms for failing to prevent the spread of misinformation online.

Australia's Labor government on Thursday unveiled legislation which could fine internet platforms up to 5 percent of their global revenue for enabling misinformation, joining a worldwide push to rein in borderless tech giants.

The proposed law would require tech platforms to set codes of conduct to stop dangerous falsehoods spreading and be approved by a regulator. The regulator would set its own standard if a platform failed to do so and fine firms for non-compliance.

Workers install lighting on an "X" sign atop the downtown San Francisco building that housed what was formally known as Twitter, now rebranded X by owner Elon Musk, July 28, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

Musk, who views himself as a champion of free speech, responded to a post by an X user linking the Reuters story about the misinformation law with one word: "Fascists".

A spokesperson for Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said by email that companies operating in Australia must comply with Australian laws.

ALSO READ: Australia drops court action against Musk's X over church stabbing posts

"This bill improves the transparency and accountability of platforms for users and the Australian people," Rowland said.

Musk's comment on the push against misinformation drew criticism and ridicule from other government lawmakers.

"Elon Musk's had more positions on free speech than the Kama Sutra. When it's in its commercial interests, he is the champion of free speech and when he doesn't like it ... he's going to shut it all down," Government Services Minister Bill Shorten told Channel Nine's breakfast show.

In this file photo dated Nov 13, 2023, tourists stand on rocks as they take photographs in front of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge on a spring day. (PHOTO / AFP)

Social media platforms should not publish scam content, deepfake materials and livestream violence in the name of free speech, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones told ABC television.

In a previous clash with the Australian government, X in April went to court to challenge a cyber regulator's order for the removal of some posts about the stabbing of a bishop in Sydney, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to call Musk an "arrogant billionaire".

The regulator later dropped its challenge against X after a setback in the federal court.

READ MORE: Australia threatens fines for social media giants enabling misinformation

X had blocked Australian users from viewing the posts about the stabbing but refused to remove them globally on the grounds that one country's rules should not control the internet.