Social media platforms ‘monetise gore and fringe content’, eSafety regulator tells antisemitism commission

Julie Inman Grant says eSafety ‘fought hard’ to get footage of the Bondi attack ‘refused classification’, making it illegal to distribute in Australia. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Mainstream platforms are fighting to distribute and monetise “gore” and “fringe” content, the eSafety watchdog has told the antisemitism royal commission.

Australia’s eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, on Thursday singled out X, telling the inquiry her office has to fight its billionaire owner, Elon Musk, to try to keep footage – including some posted of the Bondi terror attack – restricted or off the platform.