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Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered the nationwide suspension of Elon Musk's social network X, formerly known as Twitter. This decision comes after the company refused to comply with earlier court orders regarding content moderation and the appointment of a legal representative in Brazil.
Brazil Orders Nationwide Ban on Elon Musk's X
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a top judge on the Supreme Court, made this ruling, citing the company's failure to meet legal requirements. Justice de Moraes ordered internet providers in Brazil to block access to X, affecting the country's 200 million residents.
The suspension will remain in effect until X appoints a legal representative and complies with content moderation orders. Meanwhile, Elon Musk has openly criticized the court's decision, claiming it undermines free speech.
Musk argues that the Brazilian judge's orders are politically motivated and unfair. In response, the court warned that anyone in Brazil using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access X while it is banned will face daily fines of nearly $9,000. This measure aims to prevent users from bypassing the court's ruling.
The tension between Musk and Brazil's judiciary has been escalating for months. Last week, Musk closed X's office in Brazil following threats of legal action from Justice de Moraes. The court had demanded the removal of certain accounts that violated Brazilian laws, which X ignored. Musk argues that such actions amount to censorship, especially targeting conservative voices.
Adding to the controversy, Justice de Moraes has frozen the finances of SpaceX's Starlink, another company owned by Musk, in Brazil. The judge aims to collect $3 million in fines imposed on Starlink for not complying with court orders. Despite the financial hit, Starlink, which serves over 250,000 customers in Brazil, has stated its intent to continue operating and is even willing to offer its services for free if necessary, according to NY Times.
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Elon Musk Compares Judge de Moraes to a Villain
The legal battle takes place as Brazil prepares for its municipal elections in October. Brazilian law requires social media platforms to have a designated representative to handle government takedown requests, particularly to combat misinformation and incitement to violence. X has failed to appoint such a representative, putting it at odds with Brazilian authorities.
The suspension of X in Brazil could have significant implications for the social media landscape in the country. Brazil is a major market with over 171 million active social media users, according to market research firm Oosga. The ban could drive users to other platforms, affecting X's influence and revenue in the region.
Following the court's recent actions, Musk posted several comments criticizing Justice de Moraes. Musk even compared the judge to a movie villain, expressing his disapproval of what he views as overreach by the Brazilian judiciary. Musk's posts reflect his broader stance against what he perceives as censorship by authorities, CNBC reported.
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