Australia threatens Twitter with fines after surge in hate speech complaints
Australian authorities have issued a legal notice to Twitter demanding the social media giant explain how it is tackling online hate on its platform.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said her agency had received more complaints about online hate on Twitter in the past 12 months than any other platform.
The complaints had surged since Elon Musk’s takeover of the company in October, 2022, she added.
“Twitter appears to have dropped the ball on tackling hate,” Grant said.
“A third of all complaints about online hate reported to us are now happening on Twitter.
“We are also aware of reports that the reinstatement of some of these previously banned accounts has emboldened extreme polarisers, peddlers of outrage and hate, including neo-Nazis both in Australia and overseas.”
If Twitter failed to respond to the eSafety commissioner’s notice within 28 days, the company could face maximum financial penalties of nearly $700,000 a day for continuing breaches, she said.
Grant noted the worrying rise in complaints had coincided with the slashing of Twitter’s global workforce from 8,000 employees to 1,500 and the end of its public policy presence in Australia.
The move comes as Twitter is undergoing a regulatory “stress test” from European Union officials focused on its handling of user content and whether it is equipped to meet online safety regulations.
9news.com.au attempted to reach out to Twitter for comment.
However, emails to the company’s press address have been met with an automated response featuring a smiling poo emoji since earlier this year.
