In a significant escalation of tensions, a Brazilian Supreme Court justice has ordered the suspension of social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. This move comes after the platform’s owner, Elon Musk, refused to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, despite repeated orders from the court.
The decision was handed down by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a prominent figure in Brazil’s judiciary. The conflict between Musk and Justice de Moraes has been brewing for months, primarily centered around issues of free speech, the spread of misinformation, and the presence of far-right accounts on the platform.
On Wednesday night, Justice de Moraes issued a stern warning to Musk, setting a 24-hour deadline for him to comply with the court’s order to designate a legal representative for X in Brazil. The company has been without a representative in the country since earlier this month, raising concerns over its compliance with Brazilian laws.
Alexandre de Moraes is an evil dictator cosplaying as a judge. https://t.co/ZIV8KbDCmk
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 30, 2024
When Musk failed to meet the deadline, Justice de Moraes responded by ordering the suspension of X in Brazil. The suspension will remain in effect until the platform complies with the court’s demands. To ensure the order is enforced, Justice de Moraes also imposed a daily fine of 50,000 reais (€8,045) on any individuals or companies caught using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access the platform.
In a later ruling, the justice clarified that internet service providers (ISPs) would have five days to block access to X. Additionally, app stores were directed to remove VPNs that might be used to circumvent the suspension. Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, was given 24 hours to begin the process of enforcing the suspension.
Carlos Baigorri, the chairman of Anatel, expressed confidence that the country’s largest service providers would quickly comply with the order. However, he acknowledged that smaller providers might need more time to suspend access to X.
The full bench of Brazil’s Supreme Court is expected to review the case, but a date for deliberations has not yet been set. This could potentially lead to a prolonged legal battle, further intensifying the already heated conflict.
Musk, known for his outspoken nature, did not take the ruling lightly. In a post on X, he lashed out at Justice de Moraes, labeling him as an “evil dictator cosplaying as a judge.” This sharp criticism highlights the deepening rift between Musk and Brazil’s judiciary.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also weighed in on the matter. During a radio interview on Friday night, Lula emphasized that all investors in Brazil, including Musk, must respect the country’s laws. He stated, “He must respect the decision of the Brazilian Supreme Court. If he wants to, good. If not, be patient. Otherwise, this country will never be sovereign.”
Lula’s remarks underscore the broader implications of the dispute, which touches on issues of national sovereignty and the rule of law. He made it clear that Brazil would not be intimidated by Musk’s status as an American billionaire. “This guy has to accept the rules of this country,” Lula declared, adding that if the Supreme Court’s decisions apply to him as president, they must also apply to Musk.
Brazil is a crucial market for X, with approximately 40 million users—about one-fifth of the population—accessing the platform at least once a month. However, since Musk’s acquisition of the platform in 2022, X has struggled with a loss of advertisers, making the Brazilian market even more important for its financial stability.
The suspension of X in Brazil adds to the platform’s growing list of challenges. X and its predecessor, Twitter, have been banned in several other countries, mostly those with authoritarian regimes like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. While Brazil is a democratic nation, the current dispute underscores the delicate balance between free speech and the rule of law, especially in the digital age.
As the situation continues to develop, the outcome of this legal battle could have far-reaching consequences, not just for X, but for the broader relationship between global tech giants and national governments.