Lagatar24 Desk
Brasília: Brazil’s Supreme Court has unanimously upheld a ban on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter. The ban, initially imposed by Justice Alexandre de Moraes last week, was reaffirmed on Monday after X failed to meet a court-imposed deadline to appoint a legal representative in Brazil.
All five justices of the Supreme Court reviewed and confirmed the ban, emphasizing the importance of companies operating in Brazil to comply with local laws. Justice Flavio Dino, alongside Justice Cristiano Zanin, highlighted that disregarding court orders undermines the rule of law. Justices Carmen Lucia and Luiz Fux also supported the ruling, resulting in a unanimous decision.
The suspension has sparked a confrontation between Justice de Moraes and Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, Starlink, which has refused to enforce the court’s decision. Musk responded to the ban by accusing Justice de Moraes of violating the Brazilian Constitution and vowed to expose what he claims are unlawful actions by the justice through a new X account intended to publish sealed court decisions.
In response to the Supreme Court’s directive, telecom providers in Brazil have been ordered to block access to X. The ban will remain in effect until the platform complies with the court’s demands and pays fines amounting to over USD 3 million. Justice de Moraes’s initial ruling accused Musk of being an “outlaw” who promotes disinformation and undermines democratic processes.
Musk, who acquired X in 2022, has condemned the ban as censorship, labeling Justice de Moraes a “dictator.” He has faced criticism for his management of the platform, particularly regarding reduced content moderation and controversial posts on his personal feed.
The ban significantly affects X’s operations in Brazil, one of its largest markets, with approximately 40 million users in a nation of 215 million people. Users caught violating the ban through encrypted connections could face fines of up to 50,000 reais (USD 9,000) per day.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has expressed his support for the Supreme Court’s decision, stating that it sends a strong message about the importance of upholding legal standards in the country.
