In a significant development, Brazil’s Supreme Court has mandated the suspension of social media platform X across the country. The decision follows X’s failure to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, a requirement for foreign companies operating within the nation. The order, issued by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, is part of an ongoing conflict with X’s owner, Elon Musk, which dates back to April 2024.
The ruling requires X to remain inaccessible in Brazil until it complies with all court orders, pays outstanding fines, and appoints a legal representative. Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency has been given a 24-hour deadline to enforce the suspension, which involves over 20,000 broadband providers. The agency’s president, Carlos Manuel Baigorri, confirmed that the process of blocking X is already underway, with full implementation expected by the weekend.
The court’s order initially extended to tech giants Apple and Google, directing them to block access to the X app on their platforms and prevent the use of VPNs to bypass the suspension. However, Justice Moraes temporarily lifted these requirements to avoid disrupting third-party companies while awaiting a response from Musk and X.
Additionally, the court has imposed a daily fine of $50,000 on individuals and companies attempting to circumvent the ban using VPNs.
Musk’s Response
The dispute escalated when X missed the deadline to appoint a legal representative. In response, Musk’s company announced it would not comply with the order, leading to immediate legal action. Musk took to X to criticize the Brazilian government, accusing it of silencing the “#1 source of truth” and labeling the administration as oppressive.
The origins of this conflict trace back to an April 2024 incident, where Justice Moraes ordered X to suspend accounts allegedly spreading disinformation about former President Jair Bolsonaro’s attempt to contest the 2022 election. Musk’s refusal to comply resulted in his inclusion in a broader investigation into digital militias promoting anti-democratic activities.
Broader Impact on Musk’s Ventures
Despite the announcement of X’s suspension on August 17, the platform has remained accessible, frustrating Brazilian authorities. Musk’s other ventures in Brazil, including Starlink, have also faced scrutiny. On August 18, Justice Moraes froze Starlink’s local bank accounts to enforce fines against X. Starlink has since filed a petition to unfreeze its accounts, criticizing the decision as illegal.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized that all foreign companies must adhere to Brazilian laws, as the judiciary remains determined to hold Musk accountable.
