Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, has warned Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, that it could face sanctions, including the revocation of its operating license, if it refuses to block the X social media platform from its service. Anatel notified all telecoms operators in Brazil, including Starlink, that they must comply with a Supreme Court order to shut down X. The regulator is currently verifying compliance with this order from over 20,000 companies. Starlink indicated its intention to refuse to comply with the ban to Anatel commissioner Carlos Baigorri. So far, Starlink is the only operator refusing to block X for Brazil’s estimated 20 million users.
This conflict is part of an ongoing dispute between Brazilian officials and Elon Musk, the owner of X, who has consistently refused to comply with court orders to block accounts accused of spreading hate and misinformation. Both Musk and X’s global government affairs team have criticized these orders as unlawful attempts at censorship. X’s global government affairs team stated that they expect Judge Alexandre de Moraes to order X to be shut down in Brazil due to their non-compliance with his “illegal orders to censor his political opponents.” De Moraes has warned X’s Brazilian legal representative of possible imprisonment and frozen her bank accounts.
De Moraes’ order requires internet service providers and app stores to block access to X and imposes a daily penalty of $8,900 for users in Brazil who use a virtual private network to evade the ban. He stated that X will remain blocked until it complies with his orders. De Moraes accused Elon Musk of disrespecting Brazilian sovereignty and the judiciary, referring to him as a “true supranational entity” immune to the laws of each country.
Starlink, which claimed that its assets had been frozen in Brazil, informed Anatel that it would not comply with the shutdown order until the asset freeze is lifted. The company plans to mount a legal challenge against the freeze order, arguing that it was imposed without due process. Starlink serves over a quarter million customers in Brazil and is working to ensure uninterrupted service.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, X’s global affairs team remains undeterred by the shutdown orders. They have stated that they will not comply secretly with illegal orders and are committed to protecting freedom of speech for their users in Brazil and around the world.
This conflict raises important questions about the balance between freedom of speech and the regulation of online platforms. It showcases the power struggles between governments and tech giants, with each side accusing the other of overreach and disrespecting sovereignty. As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the courts and regulators navigate these complex issues and what implications it may have for the future of internet governance.
