Australia drops legal case against Musk’s Twitter over church attack video.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has withdrawn the case against Elon Musk-owned Twitter for not removing footage of a Sydney church stabbing. Julie Inman said ending the legal battle aims at achieving “the most positive online safety outcome” for Australians, especially children.
Her office had issued a takedown notice for the graphic video showing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel being attacked to prevent it from going viral and causing further harm.
However, Twitter refused to block access globally as sought, only within Australia. The company welcomed the development as a win for free speech.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had criticized Musk’s non-compliance with the removal directive.
Twitter argues that blocking content domestically should suffice. A court temporarily ordered the video’s worldwide hiding but did not extend it later.
Inman will no longer pursue legal remedies and instead welcomes reviewing the incident at the tribunal.
A 16-year-old has been charged with committing a terrorist act in the April religiously-motivated stabbing during a live-streamed service.
