In the wake of Elon Musk‘s takeover of Twitter, Australia’s internet safety regulator has issued a severe warning to the social media giant over its perceived failure to address online abuse. The acquisition, which occurred in October 2022, has reportedly led to an upsurge in hate speech and toxic behaviour on the platform, raising considerable concerns among internet safety advocates.
The e-safety commissioner of Australia, Julie Inman Grant, a former Twitter staffer, stated that Twitter is now accountable for one in every three reported online hate speech incidents in Australia. Given the severity of the situation, Inman Grant has given the platform a 28-day ultimatum to display substantial efforts towards rectifying this problem, failing which the company could be slapped with a daily fine of A$700,000 (RM2.21 million).
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In the aftermath of Musk’s acquisition, the workforce experienced drastic downsizing, with more than 80% of the global staff, including numerous content moderators tasked with curbing abuse, being laid off. This move has received criticism from Inman Grant, who accused Twitter of “dropping the ball on tackling hate”.
Australia’s e-safety watchdog is not alone in expressing concerns over the rising levels of hate speech and toxicity on Twitter, especially those targeting marginalised communities. As one of the forerunners in driving social media regulation globally, Australia has been proactive in holding platforms accountable.
The Commissioner had previously expressed apprehension regarding the extensive staff reductions in a letter to Musk in November last year, voicing fears that Twitter’s ability to comply with Australian laws would be severely impacted.
Stan Grant, a respected Indigenous journalist and prominent Australian media figure, echoed these concerns, lodging a complaint with Twitter about the “relentless racial filth” he encountered while using the service. His experience underlines the urgency for a comprehensive solution to the escalating issue of online abuse.
The challenge posed by Twitter’s handling of online hate speech is indicative of a broader global need to regulate social media platforms effectively. All eyes are now on how Twitter responds to this pressing call to action.
This news is based on Malay Mail.
