Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered the suspension of Elon Musk’s social media platform X in the country due to its refusal to appoint a local legal representative. Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the order on August 30, giving internet service providers and app stores five days to block access to X. The court also imposed a daily penalty of $8,900 for users in Brazil who attempt to evade the ban using a virtual private network. De Moraes argued that Musk’s disregard for Brazilian sovereignty and the judiciary demonstrated his view of himself as a supranational entity above the law.
X had anticipated the suspension, claiming that it was a result of “illegal orders” to censor political opponents. The platform accused de Moraes of threatening their legal representative with imprisonment and freezing her bank accounts. Musk, who has accused Brazil of censorship, was included in a criminal inquiry related to the spread of false information about Brazil’s election and justice system.
The suspension order followed de Moraes’s previous order on August 28, which gave X just 24 hours to appoint a new legal representative. Failure to comply would result in the platform’s suspension. X did not respond to the suspension order or provide any comment.
Musk has yet to publicly address the suspension, but he praised reporter Glenn Greenwald’s analysis of the case. Greenwald characterized de Moraes’s demands as part of a broader trend of governments using online platforms to suppress dissent. Musk commended Greenwald’s explanation of “the evil tyranny” behind the suspension order.
X announced its intention to publish de Moraes’s demands and related court filings to ensure transparency. The platform emphasized its commitment to protecting freedom of speech for its users in Brazil and worldwide.
Brazilian authorities argue that X has violated the country’s internet laws. In the past, Brazil has ordered telecommunication providers to block access to certain websites or face daily fines. Similar actions have been taken against other platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp due to alleged non-compliance with information requests and encryption issues.
According to market research group Emarketer, approximately 40 million Brazilians, or one-fifth of the population, access X at least once per month. The suspension of X in Brazil has significant implications for its millions of users and highlights the ongoing battle between social media platforms and governments over control and freedom of expression.
In conclusion, the suspension of Elon Musk’s social media platform X in Brazil has raised concerns about censorship and the power of governments to regulate online platforms. The court’s decision to block X reflects a broader trend of governments worldwide exerting control over digital spaces to suppress dissent and maintain the status quo. While X has criticized the suspension as an infringement on freedom of speech, Brazilian authorities argue that the platform has violated internet laws. The case has ignited a debate about the boundaries of online speech and the role of social media platforms in democratic societies.
