Brazilian Supreme Court to Consider Suspending X within the Next 24 Hours
Justice Alexandre de Moraes has requested that Elon Musk appoint a new legal representative for X Brasil within 24 hours, or face the suspension of the social media platform X in Brazil by the Supreme Court. This demand comes after Musk closed down operations two weeks ago, citing threats against the company’s legal representative in Brazil.
Earlier this year, de Moraes had ordered X to block certain accounts as part of an investigation into digital militias spreading fake news and hate messages during the administration of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Musk himself is under scrutiny as part of this criminal inquiry.
Court Orders
On April 7, de Moraes escalated the situation by accusing Musk of obstruction of justice, criminal organization, and incitement. He emphasized the importance of complying with court orders and warned of fines if X fails to do so.
X’s operations in Brazil were abruptly closed on August 17 due to a “secret order” from de Moraes that threatened legal action if censorship orders were not followed. Musk announced the closure on X while affirming that the service remains available to Brazilian users.
Despite Musk’s claims of censorship, Brazilian authorities maintain that X is violating internet laws in the country. This conflict adds to the regulatory battles Musk faces globally, including recent warnings from the EU over potentially harmful content in X broadcasts.
Musk’s confrontations with regulatory authorities are not new, as evidenced by the ongoing tensions with the Brazilian government. The outcome of this legal battle will likely have significant implications for X’s operations in Brazil and Musk’s reputation as a tech entrepreneur.
Aldgra Fredly contributed to this report.
