X ‘refused to take down’ video viewed by Southport killer

After the attack on the bishop, which was livestreamed, eSafety said it worked “collaboratively where possible” with technology companies to remove the video from platforms.

“Immediately following the Wakeley attack, companies including Google, Microsoft, Snap and TikTok acted quickly to cooperate with eSafety and ensure the Wakeley stabbing video could not be accessed from their platforms,” the regulator said.

“Some of these companies took additional, proactive steps to reduce further spread of the material.”

eSafety subsequently contacted Meta – owner of Facebook and Instagram – and X, telling the companies to remove the material “under the provisions of Australia’s Online Safety Act”.

Meta did respond and took action which was welcomed by eSafety, but X decided to not remove the video from its platform, it said.

Instead, according to the regulator, X geoblocked the footage in Australia, meaning people outside the country and those within it using a VPN could still watch it.

In June last year, eSafety abandoned a legal battle to have the footage removed.

X has not responded to the BBC’s request for comment.