An Australian federal court upheld a AU$650,000 fine against Elon Musk’s social media company X on May 21 for breaching child internet safety laws after nearly three years of legal wrangling [1, 2]. The penalty follows X’s failure to provide complete information to Australia’s eSafety regulator about how it tackled child sexual abuse content on its platform [1].

The court imposed the fine after a 2024 ruling that required X to comply with eSafety’s notices demanding transparency on its child protection measures [1]. Federal Justice Michael Wheelahan said a nearly maximum penalty was appropriate because X is a substantial corporation and the fine must act as a real deterrent, not just a business cost [1].

X admitted wrongdoing, acknowledging it violated the law by failing to provide the required information and admitted to ongoing noncompliance for about 38 days, according to a lawyer representing the eSafety commissioner [2]. Christopher Tran said, "The respondent admits that it contravened the act. There was ongoing noncompliance for some 38 days." [2]

The case began in February 2023 when eSafety approached Twitter, before Twitter merged into Musk’s X Corp the following month, demanding details on efforts to address child sexual abuse content [1].

Australia passed world-first laws in 2025 banning children under 16 from accessing certain social media platforms as part of a broader regulatory program aimed at online safety [1]. eSafety head Julie Inman Grant said, "Meaningful transparency is critical to holding technology companies to account. This is not only a key part of our work as Australia’s online safety regulator, it also provides the Australian public with important information about how these companies are tackling the worst-of-the-worst content on their platforms." [1]

Other countries including Israel, Britain, Norway, and New Zealand have shown interest in similar social media regulations after talks with Australian officials [1].

The court’s ruling on May 21 upholds the AU$650,000 fine, marking the latest enforcement move under Australia’s robust online safety laws.

Timeline

February 2023: eSafety demanded Twitter explain how it was tackling child sexual abuse content [1].

March 2023: Twitter merged into Elon Musk’s newly formed X Corp [1].

October 2023: eSafety fined X for inadequate response to regulator’s information request [2].

October 2024: Federal court ruled X must comply with eSafety’s notice [1].

May 21, 2026: Federal court upheld the AU$650,000 fine against X [1, 2].

2025: Australia passed laws banning under-16s from certain social media platforms [1].