Brazil's Supreme Court has ruled that social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, mistakenly paid fines to the wrong bank, delaying its potential reinstatement in the country. The court stated that X must transfer the payment to the correct account before it can resume operations, following a suspension due to violations of court orders regarding hate speech moderation and legal representation. Despite claiming to have paid the full amount of 28.6 million reais (approximately $5.24 million), the funds were deposited into an incorrect account, necessitating a transfer to the appropriate one as per the court's directives. The platform has been suspended since late August, impacting its 22 million Brazilian users, and has been under scrutiny for its handling of disinformation and compliance with local laws.
- The suspension of X in Brazil has sparked significant debate over issues of censorship and freedom of expression. Judge Alexandre de Moraes has been a central figure in this controversy, previously ordering the deletion of accounts linked to supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, which Musk criticized as censorship. X's recent attempts to comply with legal requirements reflect its struggle to navigate regulatory challenges in Brazil, a key market for the platform. As X seeks to restore its services, it has emphasized its commitment to upholding freedom of expression while adhering to local laws.
