A Canadian anti-trans activist is testing the Australian online regulator’s ability to censor a tweet allegedly bullying a trans man, arguing that the removal notice issued to Elon Musk’s platform was an overreach on a political statement. The regulator, eSafety, sent a notice to X last year requesting the removal of a tweet by a prominent anti-trans user, “Billboard Chris,” about an Australian trans man and leading LGBTQ+ health expert, which linked to a Daily Mail article about the person. The regulator claimed the tweet breached Australia’s Online Safety Act by misgendering, mocking the person’s gender identity, and equating transgender identity with a psychiatric condition.

X made the tweet unavailable in Australia but vowed to appeal the decision and challenged the order in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. during the opening arguments, Elon’s counsel, Stephen Moloney, argued that the regulator was trying to stop Elon from speaking about “the probity and wisdom of a certain gender ideology in Australia” and “about the protection of children.” The counsel also stated that the trans man was an activist and not a private person just going about his life.

The supporter of Elon’s case argued that the tweet was political and intended to raise questions about gender, serving also as a cover for linking to the Daily Mail article. The supporter of the eSafety commissioner, Christopher Tran, argued that the tweet caused serious harm even if it made a political point, as shown by the provocative language and sharing of the trans man’s workplace and personal photos in the linked article.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/31/anti-trans-activist-tests-australian-regulator-power-to-remove-x-post-it-deemed-cyber-abuse-ntwnfb