Investigation Launched by Brazilian Judge Following Elon Musk’s Defiance of X Court Order
A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has launched an investigation into Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform X, for obstruction of justice. This comes after Musk challenged a court order that required the removal of certain X accounts. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has stated that Musk will be probed for alleged obstruction of justice, criminal organization, and incitement. The judge has warned that X will face a fine of $19,740 per day if it fails to comply with the court order.
The order from Justice De Moraes came after Musk announced on X that his company would lift all restrictions on Brazilian accounts targeted by the Supreme Court’s order. Musk claimed that the judge had applied massive fines, threatened to arrest his employees, and cut off access to X in Brazil. In response, Musk declared that X would lose all revenue in Brazil and have to shut down its office there, emphasizing that principles matter more than profit.
Musk also suggested that Justice De Moraes should resign or be impeached from his role, accusing the judge of repeatedly betraying the constitution and the people of Brazil. Previously, X Corp, formerly known as Twitter, stated that it had been forced by court decisions to block certain popular accounts in Brazil. The company was prohibited from disclosing the targeted accounts and the reasons behind the blocking orders.
The article mentions a report titled “Twitter Files Brazil” by investigative journalist Michael Shellenberger and colleagues. According to internal files shared by Shellenberger, Twitter in Brazil was threatened with a $30,000 fine and given one hour to remove posts from congressmembers or pay the court for noncompliance. The justice has also been reported to have jailed individuals without trial for their social media posts.
Critics of Justice De Moraes argue that he has been overstepping his bounds to clamp down on free speech and engage in political persecution. Brazil’s political right views him as a threat to democracy, with lawmakers from former President Jair Bolsonaro’s circle being imprisoned and his supporters’ homes being raided. However, defenders of the justice argue that his decisions, while extraordinary, are legally sound and necessary to combat fake news and protect Brazilian democracy.
Brazilian Attorney General Jorge Messias has called for urgent regulation of social media networks, stating that billionaires domiciled abroad should not have control over social networks and undermine the rule of law. He emphasizes that social peace is non-negotiable.
In conclusion, Elon Musk’s defiance of a court order in Brazil has sparked an investigation by a Supreme Court judge. The case highlights the tension between freedom of speech and the need to regulate social media platforms. Critics argue that the judge is overstepping his bounds, while defenders believe his actions are necessary to protect democracy. The outcome of the investigation will have significant implications for the future of social media in Brazil.
