Freedom of the press

Reach criticised over fake AI-generated adverts of Alex Jones and Rachel Reeves

The publisher Reach has faced criticism for running disturbing adverts on its WalesOnline app, featuring fake AI-generated images of TV presenter Alex Jones and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The images, which showed both figures with visible blood and bruises, directed users to fake BBC News articles promoting cryptocurrency.

Users of the app expressed outrage at the adverts, with Cardiff council’s cabinet member for culture, Jennifer Burke, describing them as ‘disturbing’. She questioned whether the publisher had a duty to vet the content advertised on their platform. Other users criticised the ads, labelling them ‘dystopian’.

The adverts appeared among genuine news articles on the app, which is part of Reach’s operation in Wales. Reach also publishes major United Kingdom news outlets, including the Mirror and the Express.

Both Alex Jones and Rachel Reeves have been contacted for comment, and Reach has been asked to address the situation.

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.

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.

Assange seeks Bitcoin support for post-release travel costs

Julian Assange, the former Wikileaks editor-in-chief, has secured a plea deal, with his sentence commuted to time served. He is now set to travel to Saipan before returning to Australia. Despite his release, the financial burden remains, with his fiancée, Stella Assange, disclosing that the cost of his journey to freedom is estimated at $520,000. The family is urgently appealing for funds to cover travel and recovery expenses.

To help raise these funds, a BTCPay Server has been set up, enabling donations through Bitcoin or the Lightning Network. Assange’s brother, Gabriel, confirmed the platform, allowing secure, decentralised contributions. Julian’s connection to Bitcoin is long-standing, having been part of the cryptocurrency’s history, including discussions with its creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, regarding its use for Wikileaks when PayPal froze their accounts.

As Assange embarks on the next chapter of his life, the Bitcoin community continues to rally behind him, with a recent donation of 8 Bitcoins (around $500,000) further showcasing the role of cryptocurrency in supporting his cause.

X moves to comply with Brazil’s court amid misinformation crackdown

After months of defiance, Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has told Brazil’s Supreme Court that it has complied with orders to curb the spread of misinformation. The direction shift comes as Musk seeks to lift a ban on the platform following a prolonged battle with the Brazilian judiciary over what he called ‘censorship.’ The court had suspended access to X in late August, leaving Brazilians needing the platform in one of its largest global markets.

The dispute revolves around Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has been leading a crackdown on what he perceives as threats to democracy and the political use of disinformation. After Musk closed X’s office in Brazil, the judge banned the platform. Moraes also froze accounts of Musk’s satellite company, Starlink, prompting Musk to label him a ‘dictator.’

X, which boasts 21.5 million users in Brazil, attempted to circumvent the ban by using third-party cloud services, allowing temporary access. However, the effort was short-lived, especially after Moraes threatened heavy fines. In a more conciliatory move, X recently appointed a local legal representative in Brazil, signalling a shift in its approach.

In documents submitted to the court, X confirmed that it had blocked nine accounts linked to a hate speech and misinformation investigation. The action reflects a change in Musk’s strategy, as sources close to him suggest he now plans to comply with local laws while continuing to defend free speech through legal avenues.

Why does it matter?

Musk’s battle with the Brazilian judiciary mirrors similar tensions in countries like Australia and the UK, where governments are working to curb online misinformation. Despite his stance as a free speech advocate, Musk’s recent actions in Brazil indicate a more pragmatic approach to navigating regulatory challenges in key markets.

As X awaits the court’s decision, which could restore access within days, analysts believe that Musk’s surprising backtracking demonstrates a recognition that fighting the law in Brazil could have further damaged his standing in the country. Now, the company appears ready to respect legal boundaries, even if it means fighting battles in the courtroom rather than on the platform.

X briefly accessible in Brazil despite court-ordered ban

Surprisingly, social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, briefly became accessible to users in Brazil despite a Supreme Court order to block it. The brief resurrection follows a heated standoff between Musk and Brazilian Justice Alexandre de Moraes, leading to X’s nationwide shutdown last month. However, Brazilians quickly regained access to the platform, sparking cheers among users who saw it as Musk’s defiance of the law.

X later clarified that the restoration of access was unintentional. The platform’s Global Affairs team explained that a switch in network providers caused the issue, allowing some users in Brazil to log back in due to a rerouting of infrastructure supporting Latin America. The temporary fix was not deliberate, and the company expects the block to be reinstated soon.

According to the Brazilian Association of Internet and Telecommunications Providers (Abrint), the update routed users through third-party cloud services outside the country. This allowed them to bypass local restrictions without needing virtual private networks (VPNs).

Brazil’s telecom regulator, Anatel, is now working to enforce the original block more effectively. However, the situation remains complex, as blocking access to cloud services could inadvertently impact other critical sectors like government and financial services, posing additional challenges for regulators.

Russia to invest $660 million in modernising internet censorship

Russia is ramping up its efforts to control the internet by allocating nearly 60 billion roubles ($660 million) over the next five years to upgrade its web censorship system, known as TSPU. The system, developed by state regulator Roskomnadzor, is designed to filter and block content deemed harmful or illegal by the government. The funding, part of a broader ‘Cybersecurity Infrastructure’ project, will acquire new software and hardware and expand the system’s capabilities.

The initiative is seen as part of Moscow’s broader crackdown on online freedoms, which has intensified since Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The government has been targeting independent media and social media platforms, blocking websites, and cracking down on using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which many Russians use to bypass government restrictions. Roskomnadzor has been increasingly influential in blocking access to these tools, with officials planning to enhance the system’s efficiency further.

The TSPU system was introduced under a 2019 law that requires internet service providers to install government-controlled equipment to monitor and manage web traffic. As of late 2022, over 6,000 TSPU devices had been deployed across Russian networks. The new funding will modernise this infrastructure and improve the system’s ability to detect and block VPN services, making it harder for Russians to access uncensored content.

Why does this matter?

While the Kremlin continues to position these measures as necessary for national security, critics see them as a blatant attack on free speech. Digital rights activists, including those from Roskomsvoboda, warn that while new investments in censorship technology will tighten government control, it is unlikely to eliminate access to independent information. Developers of VPNs and other circumvention tools remain determined, stating that innovation and motivation are essential in the ongoing struggle between censorship and free access.

Russia’s battle with VPNs and independent media is part of a broader campaign against what it calls Western information warfare. Despite the government’s efforts to clamp down, demand for alternative ways to access the internet remains high. Developers are working on more resilient tools, even as the state pours resources into strengthening its censorship apparatus. This tug-of-war between government control and free access to information seems set to continue, with both sides ramping up their efforts.

Starlink complies with Brazilian court order amid country’s crackdown on Elon Musk

Elon Musk’s Starlink has become entangled in a legal dispute with Brazil, as the company reluctantly complies with a court order to block access to the country’s social media platform X. The compliance comes just a day after Starlink initially informed Brazil’s telecom regulator, Anatel, that it would defy the order, setting up a clash with the Brazilian judiciary. The legal battle is centred around actions by Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes, who ordered the freezing of Starlink’s accounts as a precaution against unpaid fines owed by X and, thus, by Musk.

The conflict escalated after Moraes directed all internet providers in Brazil to block access to X, citing the platform’s failure to maintain a legal representative, which was one of the conditions imposed by the court. The decision, which was upheld by a panel of Supreme Court justices, has led to the platform’s shutdown in Brazil. Despite initial resistance, Starlink reversed its stance and began implementing the block, with Anatel confirming that access to X has already started being cut off.

Starlink, which serves over 200,000 customers in Brazil, expressed its discontent with the situation in a post on X, labelling the freezing of its assets as illegal. The company has initiated legal proceedings in the Brazilian Supreme Court, arguing that Moraes’ orders violate the Brazilian constitution. However, Starlink missed a deadline to file a new appeal against the asset freeze, leaving its next legal steps uncertain.

The roots of this dispute trace back to an earlier order by Moraes, which required X to block accounts under investigation for spreading disinformation and hate speech. Musk condemned this order as censorship and closed X’s office in Brazil in August. Despite the office closure, X remained accessible until Moraes’ recent crackdown. Some users in Brazil are reportedly bypassing the block by using VPNs.

The standoff highlights broader tensions between Musk and the Brazilian judiciary, raising concerns about the balance between state power and the protection of free speech. Musk’s pushback against what he views as government overreach has now turned into an ardent legal battle, with potential implications for internet freedom and the role of tech companies in upholding or challenging state authorities.

AI news anchors protect journalists in Venezuela amidst government crackdown

An unusual pair of news anchors in Venezuela has emerged—El Pana and La Chama. These AI-generated figures, designed to look and sound realistic, are the creation of Connectas, a Colombia-based organisation. The ‘Operation Retweet’ initiative aims to disseminate news from several independent Venezuelan media outlets while protecting journalists from government repression. The project’s director, Carlos Huertas, explained that using AI allows them to bypass the escalating risks real reporters face in the country.

Why does it matter?

The Venezuelan government has been cracking down on journalists, protesters, and opposition figures amid a disputed election, with at least ten journalists arrested since mid-June, eight of whom remain imprisoned on severe charges. The crackdown is part of a broader effort to stifle dissent in response to the ongoing election dispute between President Nicolas Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. While Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, claims victory with the backing of the Supreme Court and electoral authority, the opposition argues that their candidate won by a large margin.

Protests over the election have resulted in 27 deaths and over 2,400 arrests. The situation has drawn international concern, with many questioning the election’s fairness and calling for the release of full vote tallies. Despite the government’s efforts to suppress dissent, the AI news anchors symbolise creative resistance, delivering news without putting human reporters at further risk.

Musk’s Starlink defies Brazil court order to shutdown X

Elon Musk’s Starlink has informed Brazil’s telecom regulator, Anatel, that it will not comply with a court order to block the social media platform X, also owned by Musk, until the freeze on its Brazilian bank accounts is lifted. The defiance follows a ruling by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who ordered the suspension of X due to its failure to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, a decision that also led to the freezing of Starlink’s accounts in the country.

Brazil’s Supreme Court is now facing tension as it deals with the standoff between Musk’s businesses and the nation’s legal system as a five-member court panel recently upheld the suspension of X, siding with Moraes and supporting the action necessary to combat misinformation and hate speech on the platform. The ruling has been backed by Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who emphasised that X’s content threatened democracy.

Starlink’s refusal to comply with the court’s order has put it at risk of sanctions from Anatel, which could include revoking its license to operate in Brazil. The regulator has warned that it is closely monitoring compliance among all telecom operators in the country and may take further action against Starlink. Musk has responded defiantly despite the legal pressures, criticising Moraes and threatening reciprocal actions against Brazilian assets.

Why does this matter?

The legal case represents the ongoing disputes between Musk and Brazilian authorities, which have intensified over the past few months. Critics of Moraes accuse him of using authoritarian methods to control political discourse, while supporters argue that his actions are essential for protecting democratic principles. As the situation escalates, the suspension of X remains in effect, although some users have found ways to bypass the ban using VPNs.

Moreover, Brazil is one of the most significant markets for X, with around 21.5 million users, making the outcome of this legal battle significant for Musk’s business interests and the broader debate on regulating social media and freedom of expression in the country.