In an encouraging development for advocates of liberty, the Australian government has halted its efforts to censor content globally. The government faced opposition from X (formerly Twitter) and backlash from free speech supporters after attempting to block access to a video of an attack at a Sydney church for users worldwide. Ultimately, they have backed down, in part due to the recognition that X is protected by American law, rendering their censorship attempts unenforceable.
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A Censor Throws In the Towel
“I have decided to discontinue the proceedings in the Federal Court against X Corp in relation to the matter of extreme violent material depicting the real-life graphic stabbing of a religious leader at Wakeley in Sydney on 15 April 2024,” the office of Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, announced last week. “We now welcome the opportunity for a thorough and independent merits review of my decision to issue a removal notice to X Corp by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.”
