in News

Australian Government’s $2.7M Ad Spend on Elon Musk’s X Sparks Controversy

by Team Confer · April 9, 2025
The Australian government has faced scrutiny for spending $2.7 million on advertisements on X (formerly Twitter), now owned by Elon Musk, during his first year as the platform’s owner. This revelation comes amidst ongoing legal challenges and controversies involving X in Australia. Notably, X recently lost a child safety case in the Australian Federal Court, which emphasized the platform’s obligations under local online safety regulations. Additionally, X faced a fine related to harmful posts, highlighting the complex relationship between the platform and Australian authorities.

Context & Background

The Australian government’s decision to spend $2.7 million on advertisements on X highlights the complex relationships between governments and social media platforms. In recent years, X has faced numerous challenges in Australia, particularly concerning child safety and harmful content. The platform’s legal obligations under Australian law were reinforced by the Federal Court’s ruling that X must comply with local regulations despite Musk’s assertions otherwise. This context underscores the broader issues of online safety and the role of social media platforms in fulfilling legal obligations.

In This Story

Elon Musk

Elon Musk is a prominent entrepreneur known for his leadership in companies like Tesla and SpaceX. He acquired Twitter in 2022, rebranding it as X in 2023. Musk is recognized for his innovative ventures but also faces criticism for his management and legal issues surrounding his companies.

X (formerly Twitter)

X, previously known as Twitter, is a social media platform acquired by Elon Musk in 2022 and rebranded in 2023. The platform has faced legal challenges in Australia related to child safety and harmful content.

Australia

Australia has been actively involved in regulating social media platforms, focusing on issues like online safety and harmful content. The eSafety Commissioner plays a crucial role in overseeing these regulations.

You may also like