Australia’s eSafety commissioner fights social media platforms over hate content, including Bondi massacre footage
Consensus Summary
Australia’s eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant testified at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion about the challenges of regulating online hate content, particularly on Elon Musk’s X platform. She revealed that X resisted efforts to remove graphic footage from the Bondi massacre, arguing it was no worse than a gore movie. Inman Grant emphasized that mainstream platforms are increasingly fighting to distribute and monetize such content, despite its harm to communities. The Jewish Council of Australia, founded in 2024, also spoke about the targeting of progressive Jewish voices, including its executive director Sarah Schwartz, who faced online abuse and threats after criticizing Israel’s actions. Both articles highlight the struggle between free speech protections and the need to curb harmful content, with eSafety facing legal and operational hurdles in enforcing restrictions.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Elon Musk’s X platform argued that Bondi massacre content was no more graphic than a 'gore movie'
- eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant fought to have Bondi massacre footage classified as 'refused classification' (RC) in Australia
- The Jewish Council of Australia was founded in 2024 to provide a voice for Jewish people critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza
- eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant testified at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion
- X pushed back against eSafety’s efforts to restrict Bondi attack footage, arguing it was comparable to gore movie content
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Julie Inman Grant estimated her office had taken down at least 14 examples of antisemitic abuse targeting a child
- Sarah Schwartz described being targeted by pro-Israel advocates and neo-Nazi actors after founding the Jewish Council of Australia
- Schwartz said she was called 'Hitler’s Jew' and a 'Kapo' in online campaigns
- Schwartz mentioned receiving threats and messages of support after the Bondi Beach massacre in December last year
- Schwartz said she was 'really in a state of shock and fear' after the Bondi massacre
- eSafety is currently fighting with X over eight cases, six of which were instigated by X
- eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant mentioned challenges in removing footage of the Christchurch massacre and other violent incidents
- Sarah Schwartz’s personal safety intervention order was withdrawn due to media backlash and perceived suppression of free speech
- The Australian newspaper republished offensive imagery related to Schwartz’s case, prompting her to withdraw the intervention order
- Police from WA, NSW, and AFP discussed coordination issues with eSafety in handling online hate content
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The SMH states the Bondi massacre occurred in December last year, but neither article provides a specific date beyond that phrase
- The SMH mentions the Jewish Council of Australia was set up in 2024, but the Guardian does not reference its founding year
Source Articles
Elon Musk’s X fought to keep Bondi massacre content online: eSafety commissioner
Julie Inman Grant told the antisemitism royal commission that X said it was “not any worse than you would see in a gore movie”.
Social media platforms ‘monetise gore and fringe content’, eSafety regulator tells antisemitism commission
Julie Inman Grant singles out X when giving evidence to royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Mainstream platforms are fighting to distribute and monetise “gore” and “fringe” content, the eSafety watchdog has told the antisemitism royal commission. Australia’s eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, on Thursday singled out X, telling the inquiry her office has to fight its billionaire owner, Elon Musk, to try to keep fo