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"Elon Musk's Clash with Brazil's Judiciary Over Fake News and AI Predictions"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Bloomberg

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Source: Bloomberg

Brazil's Supreme Court is taking a strong stance against online disinformation, challenging Elon Musk's free speech crusade and emphasizing the impact of fake news on democracy, particularly in the wake of the January 2023 insurrection attempt in the country's capital.

Elon Musk's Clash with Brazil Sparks Calls for Social Media Controls

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Yahoo Finance

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Source: Yahoo Finance

Brazil's attorney general has called for social media regulation after Elon Musk defied a court order banning certain accounts on X, prompting the Supreme Court to describe his actions as a "flagrant" obstruction of justice and announce an inquiry into the billionaire businessman. Musk, who owns X, criticized the court's decision as "aggressive censorship" and threatened to lift all restrictions, potentially leading to the shutdown of X's office in Brazil. The standoff reflects a broader clash between authorities and Musk, who has relaxed X's content moderation policies and faced criticism for accommodating government censorship demands in the past.

"FCC to Vote on Restoring Net Neutrality This Month"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Engadget

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Source: Engadget

The FCC plans to vote on restoring net neutrality later this month, fulfilling a 2021 executive order from President Biden. This move, which treats broadband services as an essential resource under Title II of the Communications Act, aims to prevent anti-consumer behavior by internet service providers. The process was delayed due to opposition to Biden's FCC nominee Gigi Sohn, but with Democrats now holding a majority at the FCC, the vote is set to take place on April 25.

"Google's Impact on U.S. Elections: A Comprehensive Analysis"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by New York Post

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Source: New York Post

The Media Research Center published a report alleging that Google has been interfering in elections since 2008 to help Democratic candidates win, while censoring Republicans. The report claims that Google targeted support for Hillary Clinton, favored Barack Obama over Mitt Romney, and suppressed news sources critical of Joe Biden. Google has denied these claims, stating that they have safeguards in place to prevent bias and inaccuracies. Elon Musk chimed in, accusing Google of interfering to help Democrats and attributing it to the political views of their censorship teams.

"TikTok Sale Deadline Looms Amid Free-Speech Concerns and Political Tensions"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Fox Business

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Source: Fox Business

The House China committee leaders stated that a forced sale of TikTok, labeled a national security risk, could occur before the November election, following the House passing a bill to block TikTok from U.S. app stores if its Chinese-linked parent company, Bytedance, does not divest within 165 days. Concerns about the Chinese government's potential access to user data have fueled the push for separation, with bipartisan support in the House and positive conversations in the Senate, where the bill now moves.

White House Urges Swift TikTok Sale Amid Lawmakers' Ban Efforts

Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNBC

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Source: CNBC

The White House is urging the Senate to swiftly advance a bill that would force Chinese tech company ByteDance to sell TikTok, citing concerns about data security and the Chinese Communist Party's potential use of user information. Despite overwhelming bipartisan support in the House, the Senate is slow-walking the bill due to other legislative priorities, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer not committing to a vote timeline. The bill has also sparked debate, with some senators offering tentative support and former President Trump voicing opposition to a potential TikTok ban.

"Senate's Uncertain Stance on TikTok Ban Amid Capitol Hill Pushback"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by NBC News

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Source: NBC News

The fate of the House-passed bill that could ban TikTok is uncertain in the Senate, where there is less urgency to act and senators have different theories about how to address national security concerns about the app's China-based owner. While some senators see a need for action due to national security threats, others want a broader approach encompassing various foreign-controlled apps. Concerns about China potentially accessing U.S. users' data through TikTok or influencing Americans' views have resonated with many members of Congress, but some senators are worried about potential retaliation from China and the impact on young voters.

"Elon Musk's Influence on the Right: From Silicon Valley to the Republican National Convention"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by FRANCE 24 English

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Source: FRANCE 24 English

Elon Musk and other Silicon Valley figures are making a noticeable shift to the right politically, with Musk using his platform to promote right-wing themes and rumors of potential support for Donald Trump's presidential bid. Other tech moguls like Marc Andreessen are also embracing conservative causes and cryptocurrencies, while criticizing left-wing priorities. This shift is seen as a response to concerns about the status quo and a backlash against "woke" considerations. The influence of this right-leaning faction is beginning to be felt, with tech companies facing criticism for perceived liberal biases in their products and decisions.

"Congress Pushes for TikTok Divestiture Amid User Uproar"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNBC

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Source: CNBC

A bipartisan House committee unanimously approved a bill that could force TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, within six months or face a ban in the U.S. Lawmakers emphasized that the goal is to protect American data from Chinese access, not to eliminate TikTok. The bill has gained support from key figures, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Joe Biden, despite opposition from groups concerned about free speech. TikTok has responded by urging users to contact Congress, prompting concerns about the app's ability to locate and influence Americans.

"Congress Gains Momentum in Push to Ban TikTok and Force Chinese Divestiture"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Reuters

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Source: Reuters

The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce is set to vote on legislation that would give China's ByteDance six months to divest from TikTok or face a U.S. ban, marking significant momentum for a U.S. crackdown on the app. The bill, introduced by bipartisan lawmakers, aims to address national security concerns and would require ByteDance to divest within 165 days. While the White House supports the proposal, TikTok argues that it would trample the First Amendment rights of its 170 million American users and impact small businesses. The legislation faces challenges in an election year, and some lawmakers have raised concerns about its constitutionality.