Ilon Musk criticises Australian government and calls it "fascists" for new disinformation bill
Elon Musk, the head of Company X, has sharply criticised the Australian government, calling it "fascists" over a proposed law that fines social media for spreading misinformation.
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The bill introduced by the Labor government would impose fines of up to 5% of global revenue on internet platforms if they fail to control misinformation. This law is in line with global trends to regulate large tech companies.
Under the bill, tech companies would be required to develop their own codes of conduct to combat misinformation under the oversight of a regulator. The regulator will set standards and impose fines if non-compliance occurs. Musk, known for his strong advocacy of free speech, reacted with one word: "Fascists." A spokesman for Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said all companies operating in Australia must comply with Australian laws. He said the law improves transparency and accountability of platforms to users and the Australian people.