Brazil has banned Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter. The ban follows a contentious dispute with the country’s Supreme Court.
This decision marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Musk and Brazilian authorities. Specifically, it highlights their disagreements over disinformation and freedom of expression.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered X’s immediate suspension; consequently, Musk faced this action after failing to comply with a directive to appoint a legal representative in Brazil.
This order was part of a broader effort to combat misinformation and hate speech on social media. The court believes these issues, in turn, undermine Brazilian democracy. Thus, the ruling reflects a concerted push to address these harmful practices.
The judge had previously warned Musk that if he failed to comply, the court would suspend the platform. Approximately 40 million Brazilians, or about 20% of the population, use X.
The conflict began in April when Justice de Moraes ordered X to suspend accounts accused of spreading false information.
Consequently, Musk’s refusal to comply with these orders led to escalating tensions, culminating in the current ban. In his ruling, de Moraes criticized Musk for showing “total disrespect for Brazilian sovereignty” and for allowing the platform to become a “lawless land” where extremist groups disseminate harmful content.
In response to the ban, Musk characterized the court’s actions as censorship. He argued that, in his view, free speech is essential for democracy. Therefore, he saw the court’s decision as a threat to democratic principles.
Additionally, He described de Moraes as an “unelected pseudo-judge” and claimed that the ruling was politically motivated. Musk’s defiance included closing X’s offices in Brazil, further intensifying the standoff.
The suspension of X in Brazil poses major challenges, especially as the platform struggles with declining ad revenue since 2022.
The ruling also includes hefty fines for users attempting to access X via virtual private networks (VPNs), with penalties reaching up to 50,000 reais (approximately $9,000) per day.
On the other hand, This situation is not unprecedented in Brazil, where judges have previously taken similar actions against major platforms like Meta’s WhatsApp for non-compliance with local laws.