Musk Takes Aim at Australia ‘Suppressing Rights’ Amid Social Media Probe

Musk doubts that the people of Australia support the suppression of their rights, particularly in response to the Australian government’s plan to investigate social media companies. This skepticism comes as X Corporation owner Elon Musk criticizes Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese amid a parliamentary probe into social media harm. The government’s decision to establish a committee to examine the impact of social media on Australian society has sparked a legal battle between Musk and the Australian government over the removal of certain content. Musk’s comments reflect his belief that social media companies have a civic responsibility to Australian users and society as a whole. The government’s inquiry will focus on issues such as harmful or illegal content on social media platforms and the importance of holding these companies accountable for their decisions. Additionally, the government aims to address the balance between freedom of speech and control over online content. Albanese emphasized the importance of the inquiry in sparking community discussion on the role of social media. He stated, “How do we ensure that the advantages of social media continue while minimizing potential harm?” On the other hand, the Coalition is advocating for online age verification for social media companies, specifically Instagram and TikTok. Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman stressed the need for these platforms to be included in the age verification trial, stating, “The government cannot afford to exclude social media companies like Instagram and TikTok. Australian families rely on us to address this issue promptly.”

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