Brazil Has Banned Musk’s X After Disinformation Row
X, formerly Twitter, has been banned in Brazil after failing to meet a Supreme Court judge’s deadline for naming a new legal representative in the country.
Alexandre de Moraes ordered the social media platform’s “immediate and complete suspension” until it complies with all court orders and pays outstanding fines.
The controversy began in April when a judge ordered the suspension of dozens of X accounts for allegedly spreading misinformation.
Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes https://t.co/eqbowALCeu
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 30, 2024
Reacting to the decision, X owner Elon Musk said: “Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes.”
It is the latest in a string of controversies involving Mr Musk, who has clashed with the EU over X regulation and earlier this month became embroiled in a verbal spat with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The head of Brazil’s telecommunications agency, which has been tasked with suspending the platform, told Reuters that he is “proceeding with the compliance” to do so.
The platform is expected to become unavailable in the country within the next 24 hours.
Justice Moraes has given Apple and Google a five-day deadline to remove X from their app stores and disable its use on iOS and Android devices.
He added that individuals or businesses who use VPNs (virtual private networks) to access the platform could face a fine of R$50,000 (£6.7k).
According to the judge’s order, the ban will remain in effect until X names a new legal representative in the country and pays fines for violating Brazilian law.
In a previous post on one of its official accounts, X stated that it would not comply with the demands.
Soon, we expect Judge Alexandre de Moraes will order X to be shut down in Brazil – simply because we would not comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents. These enemies include a duly elected Senator and a 16-year-old girl, among others.
— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) August 29, 2024
When we attempted…
“Soon, we expect Judge Alexandre de Moraes will order X to be shut down in Brazil – simply because we would not comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents,” the post said.
“The fundamental issue at stake here is that Judge de Moraes demands we break Brazil’s own laws. We simply won’t do that.”
Justice Moraes ordered that X accounts accused of spreading disinformation, including many supporters of former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, be blocked while they are investigated.
He stated that the company’s legal representatives would be held liable if any accounts were reactivated.
Meanwhile, Mr Musk’s satellite internet firm Starlink’s bank accounts in Brazil have been frozen in accordance with a previous Supreme Court order.
This order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines levied—unconstitutionally—against X. It was issued in secret and without affording Starlink any of the due process of law guaranteed by the Constitution of Brazil. We intend to…
— Starlink (@Starlink) August 29, 2024
“The order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines levied – unconstitutionally – against X,” Starlink responded with a post on X.
Mr Musk clarified on X that; “SpaceX and X are two completely different companies with different shareholders.”
SpaceX and X are two completely different companies with different shareholders. I own about 40% of SpaceX, so this absolutely illegal action by the dictator @alexandre improperly punishes other shareholders and the people of Brazil. https://t.co/zIzcT0BTJl
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 29, 2024
Starlink is a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s rocket company, SpaceX.
In 2022, the government of then-President Bolsonaro authorized Starlink to operate in Brazil.
Brazil, South America’s largest country, and its remote Amazon regions hold enormous potential for Starlink, a company that specializes in providing internet services to remote areas.
Justice Moraes rose to prominence after making decisions to restrict social media platforms in the country.
He is also looking into Mr Bolsonaro and his supporters’ involvement in an alleged coup attempt on January 8, 2018.
X is not the first social media company to face pressure from Brazilian authorities.
Last year, Telegram was temporarily banned for failing to comply with requests to block specific profiles.
Meta’s messaging service WhatsApp was also temporarily suspended in 2015 and 2016 for refusing to comply with police requests for user data.
Brazil Has Banned Musk’s X After Disinformation Row
