The short message service X, which was blocked in Brazil, is still waiting to be reauthorized after a fine was transferred to the wrong account.
The social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which is blocked in Brazil, transferred the required fine of 4.8 million euros, but the money ended up in the wrong account. The payment was a condition of having the blockade lifted and being allowed to operate again. Chief Justice Alexandre de Moraes explained that X needed to redirect the money as quickly as possible in order to reconsider the application for readmission.
The Brazilian Supreme Court therefore postponed its decision to unblock the platform until the correct payment was confirmed. In addition, the Attorney General should comment on the circumstances before a final decision is made. X had requested that the platform be released to Brazilian users, but the formal discrepancies are now delaying the decision.
Ban due to lack of action against hate speech
The platform has been largely blocked since the end of August after the court accused X of not taking sufficient action against hate speech and other illegal content. In addition, the company had not appointed a legal representative in Brazil, which is another point in the dispute with the Brazilian justice system. Elon Musk, owner and CEO of X, had sharply criticized Brazilian judge Moraes over the ban and accused him of censorship, according to a report by NextG.tv. He described the judge as a “dictator” and saw the measures as an attack on freedom of expression.
These political tensions further complicate negotiations between Brazil and the company. Attempts by X to fulfill only part of the court requirements also failed. Judge Moraes has already indicated that if further violations occur, assets of the platform and Musk’s satellite company Starlink may also be frozen.
Political conflicts surrounding Elon Musk
Elon Musk, known for his provocative statements and his close ties to Donald Trump, has fueled conspiracy theories several times in the past and is increasingly polarizing through his political stance. While many executives in Silicon Valley behave rather neutrally, Musk appears openly political. The dispute in Brazil shows once again that Musk’s strategy of taking a stand on political matters is causing conflicts worldwide.
Before the ban, X had around 22 million active users in Brazil, underscoring the economic importance of the market for the platform. Musk now faces the challenge of lifting the ban while maintaining his international reputation.
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