- Brazil’s Supreme Court suspended X (formerly Twitter) after Elon Musk refused to appoint a legal representative.
- The ruling affects about 40 million users and includes fines for bypassing the suspension.
- Musk criticized the decision and pledged to provide free internet in Brazil through Starlink.
A significant judicial move in Brazil has brought social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to a standstill. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered this suspension after Elon Musk, owner of X, declined to appoint a legal representative for the company in Brazil, according to a recent report.
The ruling imposes strict conditions, including a daily fine of 50,000 reais ($8,900) for those attempting to bypass the suspension via VPNs. This is a crucial moment for the platform, particularly in Brazil, where it has a substantial user base. According to market research firm Emarketer, approximately 40 million Brazilians, or one-fifth of the country’s population, use the platform at least once a month.
The suspension could have significant ramifications for both users and the platform’s future in Brazil, especially given its ongoing struggles with declining ad revenue since Musk’s takeover in 2022.
CEO of X Condemns Brazilian Court’s Actions
The platform’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, expressed deep regret over the situation, stating that it was a “sad day for X users worldwide, especially those in Brazil.” Yaccarino criticized the Brazilian government’s actions, arguing they violate the country’s constitutional protections against censorship.
The clash between the platform and Justice de Moraes has been escalating, with de Moraes accusing the platform of fostering extremism, hate speech, and anti-democratic discourse. This tension reached new heights when de Moraes included Musk in an ongoing investigation related to disseminating fake news, further straining relations.
Historically, Brazil has taken a firm stance against tech companies that resist legal directives. Past instances include the temporary shutdowns of WhatsApp and threats against Telegram when they failed to comply with government orders. This latest move against X appears to follow a similar pattern of enforcement.
Musk’s response has been characteristically defiant. He has insulted de Moraes publically referring to him as a dictator. Additionally, Starlink,, the Musk’s satellite Internet service has also been drawn into the conflict with its finances being frozen by Brazil’s authorities, a move that Musk considers unconstitutional. Notwithstanding, Musk pledged to continue providing free internet service in Brazil through Starlink until the legal matters are resolved.
The situation remains fluid, with Brazilian authorities and Musk locked in a tense standoff. This conflict will probably have far reaching consequences for the operation of the platform and other technology firms present in Brazil.
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