Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered the suspension of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, within 24 hours, escalating a long-standing dispute between the platform's owner, Elon Musk, and Brazilian judicial authorities.
Musk is Frustrated
This decision, handed down by Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes on Friday, has sparked outrage from Musk, who criticized the ruling as a threat to freedom of speech, according to Ziare.
Musk took to X to express his frustration, stating, "Freedom of expression is essential for democracy, and in Brazil, an unelected judge is on the verge of destroying it for political reasons."
This clash marks the latest chapter in the ongoing confrontation between Moraes, a key figure in Brazil's fight against misinformation, and the American billionaire.
The ruling comes just over a month before Brazil's municipal elections, a critical time that will test the balance of power between the left-leaning government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the conservative right, which views Musk as an ally.
Moraes had previously given X 24 hours to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, warning that failure to comply would result in the platform's suspension.
Immediate and Complete Suspension
After X failed to meet this deadline, Moraes ordered the "immediate, complete, and total suspension" of the platform's operations in Brazil.
He directed the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) to enforce the suspension and instructed tech giants Google and Apple, along with internet service providers, to implement technological barriers to prevent access to X’s app and website.
Moraes also warned of daily fines for individuals attempting to bypass the ban using virtual private networks (VPNs). He accused X of trying to undermine Brazil's legal system and judicial authority, creating a climate of "total impunity and anarchy" on social media, especially during the upcoming 2024 municipal elections.
This isn’t the first time Moraes has taken action against Musk's ventures in Brazil. He recently blocked accounts linked to Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet service, over unpaid fines by X. In response, Musk has intensified his attacks on Moraes, calling him a "dictator."
President Lula da Silva weighed in on the dispute, asserting that any foreign investor in Brazil, including Musk, must respect the country's Constitution and laws.
