Opinion: Brazil takes on Elon Musk in an effort to regulate a weapon of mass disinformation

This is not just a problem with Twitter. Facebook and other social media companies struggle with these risks too and discourage regulatory action. — AFP

Elon Musk, the eccentric, far-right billionaire behind X (formerly Twitter), SpaceX and Tesla is testing the world’s willingness to regulate the ultrarich. Billionaires, with money to burn and control over the vital industries that created their wealth, can make great friends and difficult enemies.

But the power that is their appeal is also the reason that governing their actions is so critical. This is even more urgent with Musk since he controls one of the most powerful information distribution mechanisms in the world.