Elon Musk's X Misplaces US$5.2 Million Fine to Wrong Bank Account in Brazil
Elon Musk's X's Fines in Brazil: The Misstep
Elon Musk's X, formerly Twitter, has faced a significant setback in its operations in Brazil after transferring US$5.2 million in fines to the wrong bank account amidst a legal battle with Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Background of Disinformation Conflict
This financial blunder stems from X's non-compliance with court orders relating to the removal of disinformation accounts, particularly during Brazil's 2022 presidential election campaign.
- The platform originally received the fines following its refusal to deactivate accounts of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
- Moraes had temporarily blocked X as a result of Musk's resistance against the judicial orders aimed at curtailing misinformation.
Escalation and Financial Outcomes
After settling the fines, it was revealed that the payments were channeled into the incorrect account, as confirmed by Moraes, who now demands immediate redirection of the funds.
- Musk previously labeled Moraes an “evil dictator”, drawing a parallel with Voldemort from the Harry Potter series.
- Despite the hostile exchanges, recent developments indicate a willingness from X to comply with Brazilian law.
The clash over disinformation remains a crucial litmus test for regulating free speech and media responsibility across Latin America.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.