(Sydney) Australia gave Twitter 28 days on Thursday to show the platform is serious about tackling online hate, or face a fine of nearly half a million dollars for every day it is late.
In a press release from the Australian online safety agency (eSafety), its manager Julie Inman Grant threatened the social network with a daily fine of US$475,000 (approximately C$625,000) if it exceeded the deadline.
According to her, a third of complaints filed in Australia for hate speech online refer to comments published on the blue bird platform.
“Twitter seems to be falling short when it comes to the fight against hate,” Ms.me Inman Grant, former employee of the social network.
The Australian agency “is far from alone in worrying about the increasing levels of toxicity and hatred on Twitter, particularly against marginalized communities,” she said.
Tesla boss Elon Musk, owner of the social network since October 2022, is regularly held responsible for the increase in hate on the platform.
The billionaire has notably fired with a vengeance, including in the ranks of moderators, and allowed users to return to the network because they were banned for hateful messages or disinformation.
As early as November, Julie Inman Grant had written to Elon Musk warning him that a sharp staff cut would render Twitter unable to comply with Australian law.