Brazil’s telecommunications regulator has officially suspended access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) following a court order from Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The suspension, which began on Saturday morning, comes after Elon Musk, X’s owner, refused to comply with judicial orders to block certain accounts accused of spreading disinformation and hate speech, and to appoint a legal representative in Brazil.The conflict has escalated dramatically, with Musk labeling Moraes a ‘tyrant,’ ‘dictator of Brazil,’ and ‘criminal masquerading as a judge’. Musk has accused Moraes of censorship and destroying freedom of expression for political purposes. In response, Moraes has ordered daily fines of approximately R$ 50,000 (about $9,000 USD) for anyone attempting to circumvent the block using technological means such as VPNs.Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has defended the court’s decision, stating that all businesses, regardless of their size or ownership, must adhere to Brazilian law. The suspension affects around 22 million users in Brazil and has sparked a heated debate about freedom of expression and the regulation of digital platforms in the country.The standoff has broader implications, with Musk threatening to publish a list of alleged ‘crimes’ committed by Moraes. The conflict has also drawn international attention, with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz supporting Musk and accusing the Brazilian government of suppressing freedom of expression.This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between X and Brazilian authorities, raising questions about the balance between combating disinformation and protecting free speech in the digital age. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this conflict will impact Brazil’s relationship with multinational tech companies and set precedents for handling non-compliant social media platforms globally.
Key points
- Brazil has officially suspended access to X (formerly Twitter) following a court order.
- Elon Musk has accused Brazilian authorities of censorship and destroying freedom of expression.
- The suspension affects around 22 million users in Brazil and has sparked a debate about freedom of expression and platform regulation.
- Brazilian President Lula da Silva has defended the court’s decision, emphasizing that all businesses must adhere to Brazilian law.
Contradictions👾While most sources report that Brazil has blocked X, one article incorrectly states that Brazilian President Lula da Silva has banned X, which contradicts other more reliable sources.
👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported daily fines for circumventing the block, with amounts ranging from R$ 50,000 to $9,000 USD.
