- Brazil’s Supreme Court is reviewing the suspension of X after the platform failed to appoint a new legal representative.
- Users attempting to access X through VPNs in Brazil face fines of up to 50,000 reais (approximately $9,000).
Brazil’s Supreme Court is reviewing the suspension of X (formerly Twitter) after Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered a nationwide ban on the platform. This decision followed X's failure to appoint a new legal representative in Brazil, a requirement for all social media platforms operating in the country.
The conflict between X’s owner, Elon Musk, and Justice Moraes has escalated in recent months. Musk has openly resisted complying with court orders to remove harmful content, including misinformation and extremist rhetoric. In early 2024, Moraes ordered X to block accounts linked to anti-democratic activities, further intensifying the feud. Musk accused Moraes of censorship and responded with a wave of memes targeting the judge.
After X’s Brazil office was closed in August, Moraes demanded the appointment of a new representative, but Musk did not comply. As a result, on August 30, Moraes suspended X’s operations in Brazil, fueling a heated legal battle with far-reaching consequences.
Brazil’s Bar Association has filed an appeal against the decision, which the Supreme Court is set to review. Meanwhile, President Lula’s government has expressed full support for Moraes, with Lula stating,
"Who does he think he is? [...] He must respect the decision of the Brazilian Supreme Court."
This case, which addresses the delicate balance between free speech and misinformation, is being closely watched for its potential impact on tech regulation both in Brazil and globally. Additionally, those using VPNs to access X in Brazil could face daily fines of 50,000 reais (approximately $9,000).
Edited by Harshajit Sarmah
ALSO READ:
Harshajit Sarmah
