Brazil’s Supreme Court has ruled that social media company X mistakenly transferred fines to the wrong bank account, causing a delay in the decision on whether to reopen the platform in the country. According to Reuters, the fine payment is the final requirement for lifting the ban, which was imposed after a prosecutor determined that X had violated local laws. The company’s lawyers maintain that all invoices were paid correctly, despite the current dispute.
Background on the Platform Ban
X was blocked in Brazil in late August after it failed to comply with a court order aimed at curbing “hate speech” and did not appoint a legal representative within the country. In response, the company filed a petition to lift the ban, but Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes insisted that the funds must be transferred to the correct bank account before further steps can be considered. The company remains committed to resolving the issue, but until the payment discrepancy is addressed, the court cannot move forward with reopening the platform, notes NIXsolutions.
Next Steps for X’s Reopening
Once the payment is transferred to the proper account, Brazil’s attorney general will need to issue an opinion on the case before the court can make its final decision. X‘s legal team has reiterated their request to lift the block, asserting that they have already fulfilled the payment obligations.
On September 26, the company had previously filed another petition to lift the block after complying with multiple court demands, including the removal of certain accounts under investigation. However, Judge de Moraes ruled that fines totaling over $5 million must be fully paid before the court can issue its final ruling. Last Friday, X’s lawyers informed the court that the company had transferred R$28.6 million ($5.24 million) to cover the fines, but the court awaits confirmation of the transfer to the correct account.
We’ll keep you updated as the situation develops.