Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has paid approximately $5.23 million in fines to the Brazilian government, paving the way for the resumption of its operations in the country, according to local media reports on Friday.
The tech giant, owned by entrepreneur Elon Musk, submitted proof of payment for the fines imposed by Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The penalties were levied after X failed to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, a requirement aimed at addressing concerns over disinformation campaigns and content moderation on the platform.
In August, Justice de Moraes ordered the suspension of X in Brazil due to non-compliance with local regulations. The lack of a legal representative hindered the government’s ability to communicate with the company regarding the spread of misinformation and the enforcement of content policies.
Elon Musk’s decision to settle the fines and reinstate X’s operations comes amid operational challenges faced by Starlink, his satellite internet company, in Brazil. The move signals Musk’s intent to maintain a foothold in the Brazilian market across his various ventures.
The resumption of X’s services in Brazil is expected to impact millions of users and reflects the ongoing global discourse on the responsibilities of social media platforms in combating disinformation while respecting local laws and regulations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
