The Brazilian Supreme Court has unanimously upheld a ruling to block Elon Musk's social media platform, X, across the country, intensifying a months-long conflict between the billionaire and Brazilian authorities. The decision, made by a five-member panel of the court, affirms the initial order by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who last week demanded that X be blocked for failing to comply with Brazilian law, which requires the platform to name a local legal representative.
Justice de Moraes, who has become a central figure in this dispute, has been accused by Musk and his supporters of attempting to censor political speech in Brazil. However, the unanimous decision from the panel, which includes de Moraes himself, suggests broader judicial support for his actions. The ruling stipulates that X will remain suspended until it complies with the legal requirement and pays accumulated fines, which have exceeded $3 million.
X’s resistance to naming a local representative and its reluctance to block certain users have put the platform at odds with de Moraes, who argues that the lack of a legal representative prevents Brazilian authorities from enforcing the law. In a controversial move, de Moraes also imposed a daily fine of 50,000 reais (about $8,900) on individuals or companies using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access X. This decision has sparked legal debate, with Brazil’s bar association expressing concerns and planning to challenge this provision.
.The platform’s suspension has led to significant disruption, with many users migrating to alternative platforms like Bluesky and Threads. The block represents a significant escalation in the ongoing battle between de Moraes and Musk, which centers on issues of free speech, misinformation, and far-right activity on social media.
The suspension has also led to a standoff between de Moraes and Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, which is resisting the court’s orders. Last week, de Moraes froze Starlink’s Brazilian financial assets in an attempt to force the company to cover X’s fines. Starlink, which has over 250,000 customers in Brazil, has appealed the asset freeze and has informed Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, that it will not block access to X until its accounts are unfrozen. This defiance has further complicated the situation, with legal experts questioning the validity of the asset freeze and the broader implications of the court’s actions.
Justice de Moraes has been involved in other investigations related to Musk, including probes into the spread of defamatory fake news and possible obstruction and criminal activities. The ongoing legal battles raise questions about the balance of power within Brazil’s judiciary and the transparency of its decisions.
While the court’s decision to uphold the block on X has been legally endorsed, it has ignited debate about whether one justice should hold such significant influence and whether more transparency is needed in such rulings. The conflict between Musk and Brazil’s judiciary appears far from over, with significant legal and political implications for both sides.
