The investigation of the European Union into the failure of Elon Musk to tackle misinformation on X threatens Starlink’s operating licence application in Zimbabwe.
Supa Mandiwanzira, a member of parliament, made the suggestion during a Q&A session held on October 11 that the European Union’s investigation into X for spreading false information should be taken into account while evaluating Starlink’s application for an operating licence in Zimbabwe.
Mandiwanzi argued that Starlink should be scrutinised because its founder is under investigation by the EU, albeit on separate issues that are in no way related to Starlink, due to the fact that Musk’s X is allegedly being used to disparage the nation’s leadership, including president Emerson Mnangagwa.
“Given the misinformation concerns raised by the EU regarding one of Elon Musk’s channels, I wanted to ask the minister of ICT whether the action by the EU will be considered when deciding whether to license Starlink?” Mandiwanzi asked.
Zimbabwe’s minister of ICT, Tatenda Mavetera, responded by saying that because Starlink is a separate firm even though it has the same owner as X, the reported problems with X should not have an impact on the application process.
Mandiwanzira also questioned the minister about if Zimbabwe would impose the same penalty as the EU, which warned that failing to control misinformation may result in fines of up to 6% of X’s sales.
Mandiwanzira once more brought up the alleged abuse of the president and other lawmakers of the country on X. Mavetera responded by saying that should any of the alleged crimes be proven, the platform would be penalised in accordance with the aforementioned legislation and that X would be subject to the country’s Cyber Protection Bill.
Zimbabwe’s minister of information, publicity, and broadcasting services, Jenfan Muswere, acknowledged last month that Starlink had submitted an application for an operating licence to the country’s communications authority. Muswere further stated that the Postal & Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe is presently reviewing the application.
