Australia's Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has been told that social media platform X, formerly Twitter, has become a significant driver of online antisemitic content since its acquisition by billionaire Elon Musk.
During public hearings on Wednesday, Andre Oboler, chief executive of the Online Hate Prevention Institute, told the commission that the platform's moderation standards had changed dramatically following Musk's takeover in 2022. He said the shift toward what he described as "absolute free speech" had resulted in a sharp increase in antisemitic posts and made it much harder for organisations monitoring online hate to have harmful material removed.
Oboler told the commission his organisation had previously worked directly with Twitter to report harmful content, but communication with the company had effectively stopped after Musk's ownership began. He said the institute had experienced repeated difficulties engaging with X and that moderation systems appeared to be significantly reduced.
The evidence forms part of the royal commission's broader examination into how digital platforms contribute to the spread of antisemitism and whether Australia's existing regulatory framework is sufficient to respond to online hate. The inquiry was established following the 2025 antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi and is investigating both online and offline factors contributing to antisemitism in Australia.
The commission also heard that while companies such as Meta, Google and Tik Tok had engaged with the inquiry to varying degrees, X had not responded to repeated requests for cooperation. Other overseas-based platforms, including Telegram and Gab, were also criticised for limited or no engagement with investigators.
Oboler acknowledged that criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian causes are not inherently antisemitic, but said his organisation had identified an increase in harmful rhetoric and antisemitic content online following major international events. He stressed that distinguishing legitimate political debate from hate speech remains an important part of the institute's work.
The commission is also examining whether stronger powers should be granted to Australia's e Safety Commissioner and whether new standards or regulations are needed to require digital platforms to respond more effectively to harmful content. Future hearings will hear from technology companies, regulators and academic experts before recommendations are made.
Musk has previously rejected accusations that he is personally antisemitic and has defended his approach to content moderation as supporting freedom of expression. However, critics argue that reducing moderation and reinstating previously banned accounts has allowed extremist content to spread more widely.
The royal commission is expected to continue hearing evidence from a range of witnesses before delivering its final report later this year, which may include recommendations for stronger regulation of online platforms and improved protections against hate speech.
