Elon Musk’s X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has hit another snag in its attempt to return to Brazil. The platform’s re-entry was delayed due to a payment error.
The Supreme Court of Brazil suspended X in late August for failing to adhere to orders related to moderating hate speech and for lacking a legal representative in the country. While X’s legal team insists that the fines were paid correctly, the court has discovered that the funds were deposited into the wrong bank account. To proceed with lifting the suspension, the court has mandated that the funds be transferred to the correct account.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has directed X to rectify the payment, following which the prosecutor general will review X’s request to end the ban. X’s legal team is insistent that the suspension be lifted, arguing against further consultation with the prosecutor general.
In recent weeks, X has been complying with court orders, including blocking specific accounts under investigation. On September 26, the company applied to resume operations, but Moraes ruled that the outstanding fines needed to be settled first. On Friday, X’s lawyers confirmed that they had paid the 28.6 million reais ($5.24 million) in fines.
This incident is just the latest hurdle for X, which has faced a series of challenges since Musk acquired the platform. Recently, X released its first transparency report under Musk’s leadership, disclosing the suspension of 5.3 million accounts and the removal or labeling of over 10.6 million posts for violating platform rules. Additionally, X is striving to re-establish its presence in Brazil after being banned in late August due to a censorship dispute with a local judge.
The payment error highlights the ongoing challenges X faces as it attempts to navigate the complex legal and regulatory landscape of Brazil. The platform’s future in the country remains uncertain as it works to address the court’s concerns.
