Elon Musk clashes with Australian government over social media age limits

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers rejected claims from billionaire Elon Musk that a proposed law to restrict social media access for users under 16 is an attempt to control internet access for all Australians.

Musk, who owns the platform X, previously known as Twitter, criticized the legislation in a social media post, calling it a “secret way to control internet access for all citizens in Australia.”

Speaking to reporters, Chalmers dismissed Musk’s comments, describing the reaction as “unsurprising.” He emphasized the government’s priority in protecting young users online.

“Our job isn’t to create social media policies to satisfy Elon Musk,” Chalmers said. “Our responsibility is to ensure necessary protections for children online.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese went further in his criticism of Musk, calling him an “arrogant billionaire” who sees himself as above the law and disconnected from the public.

The proposed legislation, introduced in Parliament earlier this week, aims to establish age restrictions for social media use and hold platforms accountable for compliance. Companies that fail to enforce the rules could face penalties.

Ongoing friction between Musk and Australian authorities

Tensions between Musk and the Australian government have escalated in recent months. In April, the Australian eSafety Office requested a temporary global ban on access to footage of two knife attacks that occurred on April 13 and 15. The footage, shared on X, prompted federal court intervention.

Although the court ordered the temporary removal of the content, X refused the request and pledged to contest the matter in court, calling Australia’s actions “illegal and dangerous.”

Albanese criticized the platform’s refusal to comply, expressing surprise at X’s decision to challenge the removal of violent content. Musk, in turn, accused Australian authorities of attempting to impose “censorship on an entire country.”

The broader debate

The proposed social media age restrictions are set to be debated in Parliament next week, with the government framing the bill as essential for safeguarding children. Meanwhile, Musk’s criticism highlights the broader global tensions between governments and social media platforms over regulation, censorship, and free speech.

This legislation represents a significant step in Australia’s ongoing efforts to regulate online platforms and their responsibilities toward user safety.