By Brazil’s Supreme Court announced Friday that social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, paid pending fines to the wrong bank account, postponing a decision on whether the company can resume operations in the country.
The payment of fines, totaling approximately $5.24 million, is the final requirement for X to restart services in Brazil, where it has been suspended since late August. The platform, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, was taken offline for failing to comply with court orders related to hate speech moderation and not naming a legal representative in Brazil as required by law.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes requested the payment be transferred to the correct bank and ordered Brazil’s prosecutor general to review recent requests made by X’s legal team before lifting the ban.
“This situation underscores the complex relationship between tech giants and national regulations,” said Dr. Maria Silva, a digital rights expert at the University of SĂŁo Paulo. “It’s a delicate balance between enforcing local laws and maintaining open platforms for communication.”
X’s lawyers filed a fresh request Friday to have its services restored, denying they had paid the fines to the wrong account and arguing against the need for the prosecutor general’s consultation.
The company had previously reversed course and complied with court orders, including blocking some accounts under investigation. On September 26, X asked the court to allow it to resume service in Brazil.
Brazil represents one of X’s largest and most valuable markets, making the prolonged suspension particularly significant for the company.
apnews.com
