A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has ordered the immediate suspension of social media platform X in the country after the company failed to comply with court orders, including the payment of fines and the nomination of a legal representative in Brazil. This decision is part of an ongoing feud between Justice Alexandre de Moraes and Elon Musk, which also led to the freezing of the financial accounts of Starlink, a satellite internet provider owned by Musk, in Brazil.
De Moraes instructed the telecommunications regulator, Anatel, to carry out the suspension order and ensure compliance within 24 hours. He also warned that individuals or companies attempting to access X using VPNs could face fines of up to 50,000 reais a day. X, formerly known as Twitter, had previously been ordered to block certain accounts accused of spreading misinformation and hate, leading Musk to close the platform’s offices in Brazil.
In response to the suspension order, X expressed its expectation of a shutdown and emphasized that its services would still be available in Brazil. Amidst the ongoing dispute over X, the Supreme Court also blocked the bank accounts of Starlink, prompting the company to request the suspension of this decision. Musk has criticized these actions as censorship, further escalating the tensions between his companies and Brazilian authorities. The situation remains fluid as legal battles and regulatory challenges continue to unfold in Brazil.
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