Elon Musk’s X Fought to Keep Bondi Massacre Content Online

You might remember the horror that unfolded in Bondi, Australia, earlier this year. What you might not know is that tech giants, including Elon Musk's X, fought to keep some of the most graphic content related to the massacre online. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, gave evidence at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion on Thursday, shedding light on this disturbing issue.

According to Inman Grant, mainstream tech platforms, including X, initially failed to voluntarily remove the content, which could quickly go viral. Her office considered issuing formal removal notices, which ultimately led to a compromise. But what's shocking is that X argued the graphic content was no more disturbing than what you'd see in a gore movie.

Inman Grant, however, couldn't fathom how her office could compare the gruesome visuals to a fictional 'gore movie'. She emphasized that the Bondi massacre was a real-life tragedy that left families and the Australian Jewish community in utter devastation.

Inman Grant's office has limited powers when it comes to tackling cyberbullying against adults. For instance, the threshold for taking down abusive content is high, often requiring a clear intent to cause serious harm. This limitation restricts her office's ability to act swiftly against hate speech.

In a separate testimony, human rights lawyer Sarah Schwartz, co-founder of the Jewish Council of Australia, shared her personal experience of facing a wave of abuse from pro-Israel advocates for opposing Israel's actions in Palestine. Schwartz revealed that she'd received threatening messages, including being called a 'self-hating Jew' and a 'Kapo', a term associated with Jewish collaborators during the Holocaust. Schwartz's story highlights the complexities of Jewish identity and the chilling effect it can have on people's willingness to speak out against Israel's actions.

While Schwartz's organisation, the Jewish Council of Australia, was set up in 2024 to provide a voice for progressive Jewish individuals, she faced harassment from pro-Israel groups, including online abuse. Schwartz's ordeal underscores the challenges faced by Jewish individuals who dare to challenge Israel's policies.

Inman Grant's testimony has sparked a wider discussion about the limitations of her office's powers and the need for greater regulation of tech platforms. The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion will continue to explore these issues, seeking to create a safer online environment for Australians.

As the online debate continues, one thing is clear: the need for greater regulation of tech platforms to protect users from hate speech and graphic content. Australia is at the forefront of this struggle, and the Royal Commission's findings will play a crucial role in shaping the country's future internet policies.