An Australian court has upheld a fine against Elon Musk's X Corp after the company admitted to failing to comply with child safety measures, resolving a three-year legal battle. The country's internet regulator, eSafety, had first issued the fine in 2023, following an investigation into X's handling of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, X Corp acknowledged that it did not meet certain requirements under Australia's Online Safety Act, which mandates platforms to take proactive steps to protect children. The fine amount has not been disclosed in the ruling, but eSafety had previously sought penalties for non-compliance.
The case dates back to 2023 when eSafety issued a notice to X (formerly Twitter) requiring it to outline measures against child exploitation. X failed to respond adequately, leading to the fine. The company later challenged the penalty in court, but the recent ruling confirms the regulator's action.
This decision marks a significant moment in Australia's efforts to enforce online safety laws, particularly against major tech platforms. X has not yet commented on whether it will appeal the ruling.
