Experts say a fine from Australia’s e-safety commissioner is unlikely to force X to change, indicating better legislation is needed.Experts say a fine from Australia’s e-safety commissioner is unlikely to force X to change, indicating better legislation is needed.“Australia’s e-safety commissioner is the last thing on mind,” says Dr Belinda Barnet, a senior lecturer in media at Swinburne University.
If X does not pay the fine or does not comply with the request for information, the e-safety commissioner could seek a civil penalty from the federal court, which could lead to daily fines of up to $782,000, backdated to February 2023, when the first notice was issued. “There are three key drivers to get companies to change their behaviour: reputation, regulation and revenue.
The Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, speaking at the same event, said it would be a very bad look for X to “keep getting recurring child exploitation fines”.Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters“For one fine, it’s like you didn’t know. Two fines is unlucky, but three fines – that’s a pattern.”
Rys Farthing, a policy and research director for digital platforms critic Reset.Tech Australia, says local regulators need better enforcement powers, suggesting higher fines – up to 10% of turnover – would work better for compliance.