Twitter could face fines in Australia for hate speech

Australia’s online safety regulator sent a legal notice to Twitter Demand that the social network explain the steps it is taking to combat hate online or risk fines.

why does it matter: In it letterElectronic Security Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said her office has received more complaints about Twitter than any other social network in the past 12 months, with more reports of serious abuse since Elon Musk took ownership last October. .

Details: The letter gives Twitter 28 days to respond or face A$700,000 (about $475,000 US) fines.

• Inman Grant notes that the surge in hate speech reports comes as the company has cut staff and reinstated thousands of previously banned or suspended accounts, including 75 that had more than 1 million followers.

The panorama: The move comes as European Union officials are in San Francisco this week to conduct a “stress test” to see if Twitter is equipped to meet its new online safety standards.

what are they saying: “Twitter seems to have dropped the ball in the fight against hate,” Inman Grant said in a statement, noting that Twitter accounts for a third of all complaints currently filed with his agency.

• “We are also mindful of reports that the reinstatement of some of these previously banned accounts has emboldened extreme polarizers, outrage and hate peddlers, including neo-Nazis both in Australia and abroad.”
• A representative for Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.