Australia Poised For Parliamentary Probe On Social Media

Australia has announced that it would hold a parliamentary inquiry to look into the negative impacts of social media platforms, saying they have significant reach and control over what Australians see online, with almost no scrutiny, Renju Jose reported for Reuters.

The government has criticized social media platforms for not being quick enough to remove violent posts and seeks more oversight over content posted on Facebook, TikTok, and X.

The government has criticized social media platforms for not being quick enough to remove violent posts and seeks more oversight over content posted on Meta's Facebook, ByteDance's TikTok, and Elon Musk-owned X.

"Across a range of issues, whether it be the issue of domestic violence, whether it be the radicalization of our young people, across a range of areas, something that keeps popping up over and over again is the role of social media," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters.

"They can be very positive but also can have a negative influence which is there."

Albanese's Labor government is already in a legal fight with Musk's X over a regulatory order asking the platform to take down videos of the stabbing attack on an Assyrian church bishop in Sydney last month.

X said it has blocked the posts for Australian users, but Australia's e-Safety Commissioner says the content should be taken down for all users since it shows explicit violence.

Musk has posted memes criticizing Albanese, describing the government's decision as censorship.