Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Fines X for Failure to Disclose Child Abuse Content Policies
Australia’s eSafety commissioner has fined X, formerly known as Twitter, AUD 610,500 (over $380,000 USD) for its inadequate disclosure of information regarding its handling of child abuse content. This action comes as a result of X’s failure to meet reporting requirements under Australia’s Online Safety Act.
Statement from Commissioner Julie Inman Grant
Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasized the importance of concrete action in combating child sexual exploitation, stating, “Twitter/X has stated publicly that tackling child sexual exploitation is the number 1 priority for the company, but it can’t just be empty talk, we need to see words backed up with tangible action.”
Response Timeframe
X has 28 days to respond to or pay the fine imposed by the eSafety office.
Implications for X
While the fine may seem relatively small for a tech platform of X’s scale, it adds to the criticisms surrounding the company’s content moderation practices, especially since Elon Musk’s acquisition and rebranding of the platform.
Australia’s Online Safety Act
The fine was issued in accordance with Australia’s Online Safety Act, which was introduced in 2021. This legislation mandates that online service providers report their measures against child abuse content on their platforms. Failure to comply with the reporting requirement can result in civil penalties.
Legal Memo and Non-Compliance
In February, the eSafety office sent a legal memo to X and other tech companies, including Google, TikTok, Twitch, and Discord, seeking information on their handling of child exploitation content. X failed to adequately respond to the questions posed, leaving several sections blank.
Concerns with Other Tech Giants
The eSafety office raised concerns about the policing of child abuse content on multiple platforms, including X. Google received a formal warning for providing generic responses to specific questions.
Severity of X’s Non-Compliance
X received an official fine due to the more egregious nature of its failure to meet Australia’s reporting standards. Key information, such as response time to abuse reports, methods of detecting child sexual exploitation, and the number of safety and public policy employees, was not provided.
X’s Internal Records
In December 2022, internal records obtained by NBC News and revealed that out of approximately 1,600 remaining staff members, around 25 held titles related to “Trust and Safety.”
