Freedom of expression

Brazil lifts ban on Elon Musk’s X platform

Brazil’s Supreme Court has lifted the suspension of Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, allowing it to resume operations in the country after the company finally complied with local court rulings. The resolution marks the end of a prolonged dispute between Musk and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who had previously blocked the platform for refusing to follow legal orders. In his ruling, Moraes stated that X had met the conditions to return online, paving the way for its swift restoration.

The conflict began when Musk, a vocal advocate of free speech, resisted Brazilian court orders to block accounts flagged for spreading misinformation, calling the directives censorship and labelling Moraes a ‘dictator.’ However, in recent weeks, Musk’s platform reversed course, appointing a local representative, paying outstanding fines, and complying with the court’s requests to block certain accounts. By doing so, X earned back its legal right to operate in Brazil.

Brazilian users could not access X on Tuesday evening despite the platform’s return, even though the country’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, has been instructed to restore the service within 24 hours. Through its Global Government Affairs account, X expressed pride in returning to the Brazilian market, emphasising its commitment to upholding free speech within legal boundaries. Brazil remains X’s sixth-largest market globally, with about 21.5 million users as of April, according to Statista.

Why does it matter?

The dispute between Musk and the Brazilian government is part of a broader struggle Musk has faced with international authorities seeking to regulate online platforms. Brazil’s communication minister, Juscelino Filho, hailed the decision as a victory, stressing that all companies operating in the country must respect its laws regardless of size or influence. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva echoed this sentiment, remarking that the world should not have to endure Musk’s ideology simply because of his wealth.

Many users migrated to rival platforms like Bluesky and Meta’s Threads during the suspension, especially with Brazil’s municipal elections underway.

While X remained offline for the election’s first round, the platform could be reinstated just in time for the run-offs, set to take place in late October, including in São Paulo, Latin America’s largest city.

Independent body in Ireland empowers EU social media users to challenge content moderation decisions

A new independent body in Ireland will allow social media users in the European Union to challenge content moderation decisions made by platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Established under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), this Appeals Centre aims to provide users with an alternative to the courts when disputing content decisions. Supported by Meta’s Oversight Board Trust and certified by Ireland’s media regulator, the centre is expected to begin operations by the end of the year. It will expand to include more platforms over time.

Thomas Hughes, CEO of the Appeals Centre, emphasised the body’s independence from governments and companies, ensuring that social media content policies are applied fairly. The centre’s team of experts will review cases within 90 days to determine if the platforms’ actions align with their stated policies. The European Commission has expressed support for the initiative, with spokesperson Thomas Regnier highlighting the importance of uniform development across the EU to strengthen online user rights.

Located in Dublin, the Appeals Centre will operate on a funding model that charges social media companies fees for each case. At the same time, users will incur a nominal fee that is refundable if their appeal is successful. However, platforms are not obligated to participate, as the centre lacks the power to enforce binding settlements. The centre will be governed by a board of seven non-executive directors.

UN report: Telegram used by Southeast Asian crime syndicates

Criminal networks in Southeast Asia are increasingly exploiting Telegram for large-scale illicit activities, according to a new report from the United Nations. The encrypted messaging app is used to trade hacked data, including credit card details and passwords, across sprawling, poorly-moderated channels. The report also notes that unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges on the platform provide money laundering services.

Fraud tools, such as deepfake software and data-stealing malware, are widely sold, enabling organised crime syndicates to innovate and expand their operations. One vendor in Chinese reportedly claimed to move millions in stolen cryptocurrency daily. Southeast Asia has become a hub for these activities, where criminal groups target victims worldwide, generating up to $36.5 billion annually.

The controversy surrounding Telegram escalated when its founder, Pavel Durov, was arrested in Paris for allowing criminal activity on the platform. Durov, who is now out on bail, has since announced steps to cooperate with law enforcement by sharing users’ information when requested legally and removing certain features used for illegal purposes.

As the UNODC report warns, the widespread use of Telegram for underground markets places consumers’ data at heightened risk. Criminals are not only exploiting technology like artificial intelligence but are also leveraging the platform’s ease of use to target victims globally.

Media company faces 30-day ban in Tanzania for ‘restricted content’

Tanzania’s communications regulator has suspended the online platforms of Mwananchi Communications Ltd for 30 days, accusing the company of publishing content that damaged the nation’s image. The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) cited violations of the country’s Online Content Regulations 2020 and claimed the media company had shared material that disrupted national unity, peace, and harmony. However, the TCRA did not reveal the specific nature of the content.

Mwananchi Communications posted an animated video on its X and Instagram platforms on 1 October, which depicted people expressing concerns about missing or murdered loved ones. The company later deleted the video and apologised, stating that the content was misinterpreted. Opposition party ACT-Wazalendo criticised the suspension, arguing that the government was silencing media outlets that expose the country’s real issues, especially following recent cases of violence against political figures.

This action has raised concerns over press freedom in Tanzania, with critics pointing out a recent shift in the government’s approach. While President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been praised for easing restrictions on political rallies and media, recent incidents such as protest bans and the arrests of journalists have sparked fears of a rollback in democratic freedoms. Mwananchi Communications has stated that it will comply with the suspension order.

ICC rolls out AI to combat toxic content on social media

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a social media moderation programme ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The initiative is designed to protect players and fans from toxic online content. More than 60 players have already joined, with further onboarding expected.

To safeguard mental health and promote inclusivity, the ICC has partnered with GoBubble. Together, they will use a combination of AI and human oversight to monitor harmful comments on social media platforms. The service will operate across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, with the option for players to use it on their own accounts.

The technology is designed to automatically detect and hide negative comments, including hate speech, harassment, and misogyny. By doing so, it creates a healthier environment for teams, players, and fans to engage with the tournament which will be held in Bangladesh.

Finn Bradshaw, ICC’s Head of Digital, expressed his satisfaction with the programme’s early success. Players and teams have welcomed the initiative, recognising the importance of maintaining a positive digital atmosphere during the tournament.

EU questions YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat over algorithms

The European Commission has requested information from YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok regarding the algorithms used to recommend content to users. Concerns have been raised about the influence of these systems on issues like elections, mental health, and protecting minors. The inquiry falls under the Digital Services Act (DSA), aiming to address potential systemic risks, including the spread of illegal content such as hate speech and drug promotion.

TikTok faces additional scrutiny about measures to prevent bad actors from manipulating the platform, especially during elections. These platforms must provide detailed information on their systems by 15 November. Failure to comply could result in further action, including potential fines.

The DSA mandates that major tech companies take more responsibility in tackling illegal and harmful content. In the past, the EU has initiated similar non-compliance proceedings with other tech giants like Meta, AliExpress, and TikTok over content regulation.

This latest request reflects the EU’s ongoing efforts to ensure greater accountability from social media platforms. The focus remains on protecting users and maintaining a fair and safe digital environment.

Google accused of censorship against African stream

Google is facing accusations of censorship after locking the pan-African media platform African Stream out of its Gmail Workspace, resulting in the loss of two years’ worth of emails and files stored in the cloud. The organisation has claimed that this action is part of a broader crackdown by US tech companies on its content, which is dedicated to providing a voice for Africans and challenging negative stereotypes.

The controversy escalated following remarks from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who suggested that African Stream is influenced by Russian propaganda, labelling the outlet as ‘Kremlin propagandists.’ Within the last two weeks, African Stream pointed out that it had also been banned from other platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Threads, and criticised Google for not providing any credible reasons for the ban.

In response to the allegations, African Stream has denied any wrongdoing and questioned why major tech companies would bow to a single speech by a US official. The organisation emphasises its commitment to delivering African-centered content and amplifying African voices globally, raising significant concerns about the implications of censorship and the influence of political narratives on the policies of major tech firms.

Social platform X must pay fines before Brazil ban is lifted

Brazil’s Supreme Court has ruled that social platform X, formerly known as Twitter, must pay $5 million in pending fines before being allowed to resume operations in the country. The platform, owned by Elon Musk, was suspended in Brazil after failing to comply with court orders to block accounts spreading hate speech and to appoint a legal representative.

Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the fines, totalling 18.3 million reais ($3.4 million), remain unpaid, alongside an additional fine of 10 million reais ($1.8 million) imposed after X became briefly accessible to some users last week. The court can use frozen funds from X and Starlink accounts in Brazil, but Starlink must first withdraw its appeal against the fund freeze.

X has since complied with court orders, blocking the accounts as instructed and naming a legal representative in Brazil. A source close to the company suggested that while X is likely to pay the original fines, it may contest the extra penalty imposed after the platform ban.

The platform has been unavailable in Brazil since late August. Musk had initially criticised the court’s actions as censorship but began complying with the rulings last week.

Meta battles scam ads in Australia

Meta and Australian banks have worked together to remove 8,000 fraudulent ‘celeb bait’ advertisements from Facebook and Instagram. The scams, often using AI-generated images of celebrities, deceive users into investing in fake schemes. Australian banks flagged 102 such cases since April.

The rise in these scams has led Australia to draft a new anti-scam law, which could impose fines of up to A$50 million on companies that fail to combat online fraud. Reports in 2023 show that Australians lost a staggering A$2.7 billion to various scams.

Meta is currently facing legal challenges in Australia, including a lawsuit for allowing cryptocurrency ads featuring celebrities like Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman. Despite these issues, Meta continues its efforts to fight fraudulent ads.

Meta, alongside Australian banks, believes that early signs within ads could help detect wider scam activity. The company is reviewing Australia’s draft legislation, signalling a continued focus on anti-scam measures in the future.

Trump accuses Google of election interference ahead of 2024 campaign

Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for the 2024 United States presidential election, has vowed to prosecute Google if he wins the November election. Trump claimed, without evidence, that the tech giant only displays negative stories about him while favouring positive coverage for Democratic rival Kamala Harris.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump accused Google of ‘illegally’ interfering with the election by promoting biased search results. He said he would ask the Justice Department to investigate the company if they fail to act before he potentially returns to the presidency.

This isn’t the first time Trump has accused Google of such behaviour. In 2019, he made similar claims, alleging the company promoted negative coverage of him during the 2016 presidential election. Google dismissed the accusations at the time.

Recently, some Trump supporters have revived the allegations. Elon Musk accused Google of having a search ban on Trump in July, just days after an assassination attempt on the former president.