Brazil’s supreme court ordered the nationwide suspension of Elon Musk’s social network X due to the company’s refusal to comply with earlier court orders regarding content moderation and the appointment of a legal representative in the country. The court’s top judge, Alexandre de Moraes, also issued daily fines for those using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access X while it is banned in Brazil. The court stated that X’s operations would be suspended until all judicial decisions are followed and fines are paid, as well as until a company representative is appointed in the country.
Following the court’s order on Wednesday for X to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, the company did not comply, prompting the suspension of its operations in the country. X’s global government affairs unit stated that the shutdown was expected soon as they would not adhere to the court’s orders. In Brazil, social media companies must have a representative to handle government takedown notices, including those related to political misinformation and incitement to violence. X’s lack of a representative in Brazil led to this suspension and it had announced it would remove all employees from the country rather than risk arrests for non-compliance.
A suspension of X in Brazil could pose business challenges for Musk’s company, which had recently purchased Twitter for $44 billion and implemented significant changes under his leadership. The World Bank stopped advertising on X after a scandal involving racist content on the platform. Musk, in response to the court’s actions, criticized de Moraes, likening him to movie villain Voldemort and accusing the court of tyranny. Representatives for X and the U.S. embassy in Brazil did not immediately comment on the matter. Musk had previously condemned de Moraes’ court orders as censorship, emphasizing the importance of free speech.
As news of the suspension circulated, Musk further criticized the Brazilian government on X, accusing the regime of fearing the truth and resorting to bankrupting those who attempt to share it. The top court sent orders to the telecommunications agency, Anatel, to ensure compliance with the suspension. Anatel requested that telecommunication providers, including Starlink, block access to X in Brazil. This move adds to the tensions between Musk and the Brazilian authorities, with the issue revolving around the company’s refusal to appoint a legal representative within the country. The situation is significant amidst Brazil’s upcoming October municipal elections, creating a complex legal and political challenge for all involved.
