Billionaire Elon Musk criticizes Brazilian ban on social media company X as court orders fines to be paid
After Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes froze bank accounts of social media platform X and Starlink, totaling over $3 million in fines, the accounts have now been unfrozen following the payment. The court decision to ban X in Brazil came after Musk, the owner, refused to comply with court orders to remove accounts spreading misinformation and failed to name a legal representative in the country.
While Musk owns both X and Starlink, the decision to penalize both companies has been questioned as they operate separately. Musk, known for promoting far-right conspiracy theories, called de Moraes an “evil dictator” in response to the ban. The court’s actions come amidst a backdrop of political turmoil in Brazil, with supporters of former leader Jair Bolsonaro spreading unsubstantiated claims about the recent election, leading to unrest.
Musk’s stance on restricting misinformation on social media platforms seems contradictory, as he complied with India’s strict laws by blocking a BBC documentary at the government’s request in 2023. The incident underscores the complex relationship between tech giants, governments, and freedom of speech in the digital age.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
