X, formerly known as Twitter, has been banned in Brazil after failing to meet a Supreme Court judge's deadline to appoint a new legal representative. Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the "immediate and complete suspension" of the platform until it complies with court orders and pays existing fines. The conflict began in April when the judge ordered the suspension of several X accounts for allegedly spreading disinformation.
Key Points
- Legal and Compliance Issues: X did not meet the deadline to name a new legal representative in Brazil, leading to its ban.
- Court Orders: The platform must comply with all court orders and pay fines to lift the suspension.
- Disinformation Allegations: The suspension of dozens of accounts was ordered due to alleged disinformation, mainly targeting supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
- Elon Musk's Reaction: Musk criticized the judge, calling the actions politically motivated and a threat to free speech.
- Operational Impact: X closed its Brazilian office earlier this month, citing threats of arrest to its representative.
- Fines and Penalties: Users accessing X through VPNs could face fines, and companies like Apple and Google have been given a five-day deadline to remove X from their stores.
- Broader Context: This is part of ongoing legal and regulatory challenges Musk faces globally, including disputes with the EU and the UK.
Additional Context
- Starlink's Involvement: The bank accounts of Musk's satellite internet firm, Starlink, have also been frozen in Brazil.
- Historical Precedents: Other social media platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp have faced similar pressures in Brazil for non-compliance with legal requests.
Justice Moraes is also investigating Bolsonaro and his supporters for their roles in an alleged attempted coup on January 8 of the previous year.
