In a significant legal development, Brazil’s Supreme Court panel unanimously voted to uphold a ban on Elon Musk’s X platform, previously known as Twitter, after it failed to meet court-imposed legal requirements.
Supreme Court Confirms Ban on X in Brazil
On Monday, all five judges on the Brazilian Supreme Court panel supported Justice Alexandre de Moraes’ decision to block X’s operations in Brazil. The ban, which took effect on Saturday, resulted from the company’s failure to appoint a legal representative in Brazil within the stipulated deadline. Justice Flavio Dino criticized the company’s disregard for local laws, emphasizing that companies must comply with national regulations rather than imposing their own rules.
Justices Carmen Lucia and Luiz Fux also agreed with the ruling, making the decision unanimous. However, some judges noted that the ban could be lifted if X complies with court orders and pays overdue fines exceeding $3 million.
Moraes Accuses X of Spreading Misinformation
Justice Moraes’s original ruling, issued on Friday, accused X of enabling the spread of misinformation and hate speech, undermining Brazil’s democratic system. He referred to Musk as an “outlaw,” blaming the platform for distorting the electorate’s access to accurate information. The court ordered all Brazilian telecom providers to block X until it adheres to legal orders and pays the fines.
Musk condemned the ban, calling it an act of censorship, and criticized Moraes for what he described as authoritarian behavior. Musk, who acquired X in 2022, has dismantled most of the platform’s content moderation teams and has promoted far-right views, making headlines with his political endorsements and controversial social media posts.
Impact on Brazil’s 40 Million X Users
The court’s decision significantly impacts X’s presence in Brazil, which is one of its largest markets with approximately 40 million users. The ban threatens to disrupt Musk’s advertising revenue, as the platform struggles to regain its financial footing. Brazilian law also stipulates heavy fines of up to 50,000 reais ($9,000) per day for users accessing the platform through encrypted connections.
Starlink Resists Ban, Faces Sanctions
Before the court ruling, Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, notified Brazil’s telecom regulator Anatel that it would not comply with the order to block X. Starlink, also owned by Musk, has more than 200,000 customers in Brazil. The company stated it would resist the ban until its Brazilian bank accounts, frozen last week over unpaid fines, are unfrozen.
Anatel warned that Starlink could face severe penalties, including the revocation of its local license, if it continues to defy the ban. As of now, Starlink is the only telecom provider challenging the court’s decision.
Lula Supports Court’s Decision
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s ruling, calling it a strong message about the importance of respecting Brazilian law and the country’s efforts to combat misinformation on social media.
