In a unanimous decision, a panel of Brazil’s federal supreme court justices voted to uphold orders suspending the use of Elon Musk’s social network X nationwide. This decision came after Justice Luiz Fux expressed some reservations about the order, particularly regarding the court’s ability to fine individuals or businesses that use “subterfuge” to access X while it is blocked. The suspension orders were issued by the court’s top justice, Alexandre de Moraes, who had previously warned Musk and X to appoint a legal representative in Brazil within 24 hours or face penalties.
X had previously defied court requests to remove accounts or posts that were deemed to violate Brazil’s laws on political misinformation and hate speech online. As a result, the court froze the financial assets of another Musk-led business, Starlink, to ensure compliance with the fines imposed on X. Despite instructions from Brazil’s telecoms regulator to block access to X, Starlink has stated that it does not intend to comply with the court orders, risking the possibility of having its licenses revoked in Brazil.
Response from Elon Musk
Musk and his companies have condemned the actions of Justice de Moraes, labeling them as “illegal” and lacking due process. Musk has engaged in a public feud with the Brazilian government, escalating his rhetoric by calling for an end to U.S. foreign aid to Brazil and threatening reciprocal confiscation of assets of those who support the current regime. The tech billionaire has also called Justice de Moraes a “criminal” and vowed to seek the seizure of government assets if his demands are not met.
Public Reaction and Alternative Social Media Platforms
The blocking of X in Brazil has sparked a debate among users and politicians regarding the legitimacy of the ban. Many Brazilians have faced challenges in navigating other social media platforms in the absence of X. However, some users have begun to migrate to alternative social networks, such as Bluesky, which recently reported increased activity from users in Brazil.
While Elon Musk has positioned himself as a proponent of free speech, his actions regarding content moderation on X have been inconsistent. Despite resisting orders from authorities in Brazil and Australia to remove certain content, X has taken down material critical of ruling parties in Turkey and India.
The ongoing controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s social network X in Brazil highlights the complex issues surrounding freedom of speech, content moderation, and government intervention in online platforms. The clash between Musk and the Brazilian government underscores the challenges faced by tech companies operating in countries with distinct legal and regulatory frameworks. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact the future of X in Brazil and Elon Musk’s relationship with the country.