eSafety commissioner Julie Inman-Grant has called time on the Federal Court case against Elon Musk's social media platform X over the removal of graphic footage depicting a church stabbing in Sydney.
Inman-Grant confirmed the decision after facing several setbacks in court and the expiration of a temporary order to hide the footage.
Safety of children online
"After weighing multiple considerations, including litigation across multiple cases, I have considered this option likely to achieve the most positive outcome for the online safety of all Australians, especially children," she said.
The case, initially seen as a test of Australia's ability to enforce online safety on social media platforms, aimed to prevent the violent footage from going viral.
“Our sole goal and focus in issuing our removal notice was to prevent this extremely violent footage from going viral, potentially inciting further violence and inflicting more harm on the Australian community and I stand by my investigators and the decisions eSafety made,” said Inman-Grant.
X's government affairs arm celebrated the announcement: "This case has raised important questions on how legal powers can be used to threaten global censorship of speech, and we are heartened to see that freedom of speech has prevailed," it said.
Musk echoed this sentiment, posting: "Freedom of speech is worth fighting for."
The social media platform initially refused an eSafety notice to remove the graphic videos, later deemed an act of terror.
Despite a Federal Court order to hide the videos, X argued that the initial take-down order was not valid and refused to comply.
"Censorship commissar"
Musk has been vocal in his opposition to the eSafety commissioner's attempts, referring to her as a global “censorship commissar”.
In recent comments, News Corp (NASDAQ:NWSA) Australia's executive chair Michael Miller criticised social media companies for "monetising misery" and called for stronger regulations.
READ: News Corp’s “bullying” brought into focus as it criticises tech giants
"These companies have immense power, and it is critical that they do not undermine Australia’s sovereignty," he said.
In an interview with the ABC, Inman-Grant emphasised the need for global content removal, highlighting that X routinely complies with take-down notices.
She also revealed that Musk's attacks led to her children being doxxed and her family receiving death threats. "Targeting a regulator who is here to protect the citizens of Australia is really beyond the pale, but it's not surprising [from Mr Musk]," she remarked.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton both condemned the threats against Inman-Grant.
"The government backs our regulators, and we back the eSafety Commissioner," Rowland said.
Dutton added: "Julie Inman-Grant is one of the finest public servants ... The threats and intimidation should be absolutely condemned."
Inman-Grant has vowed not to be deterred by Musk, saying that other litigation against X would continue, alongside an independent review of the removal notice by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.