As Elon Musk’s social media platform X nears a potential ban in Brazil, a new legal battle emerges, with a Brazilian Supreme Court judge ordering the suspension of Starlink’s financial accounts in the country.
Judge Orders Starlink’s Financial Freeze Amid X Dispute
Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the suspension of Starlink’s financial transactions in Brazil, escalating tensions over the ongoing legal dispute between Musk and the Brazilian judiciary. Starlink, Musk’s satellite broadband service, confirmed receiving the order and stated it would pursue legal action against it. This decision follows an ongoing feud related to the lack of a legal representative for X, formerly known as Twitter, in Brazil. De Moraes’s ruling stems from X’s failure to comply with Brazilian legal requirements, including blocking accounts accused of spreading false information.
In response, Musk harshly criticized de Moraes, accusing him of acting outside the law. Starlink’s official statement emphasized that the judge had made the order “in secret” and violated Brazil’s constitutional guarantees of due process.
Legal Concerns and Suspension Threats
De Moraes’s latest actions are part of a larger conflict regarding the suspension of certain accounts on X that are alleged to be spreading misinformation, which Musk has denounced as censorship. Earlier in the week, de Moraes had ordered Musk to appoint a legal representative for X within 24 hours or face a suspension of operations in Brazil.
X’s earlier move to shut down its Latin American operations and lay off staff in Brazil was a direct response to what the platform described as “censorship orders” from de Moraes. Musk’s platform continues to operate in Brazil, but with ongoing tensions around compliance with local content laws.
Crackdown on Misinformation and Musk’s Stance
This decision is part of de Moraes’s broader campaign to tackle misinformation, particularly around elections. In previous years, he has ordered the suspension of over 100 accounts, including those linked to Bolsonaro supporters who have spread unproven claims about Brazil’s voting system. Musk has repeatedly criticized de Moraes for curbing free speech and clashing with the Brazilian Constitution, accusing him of undermining fundamental rights.
In April, de Moraes accused Musk of leading a “disinformation campaign” in Brazil, escalating the legal standoff. Musk’s commitment to unrestricted speech is central to his criticism of the Brazilian government’s actions, which he perceives as overreach into online discourse.
