“Brazil Bans X (formerly Twitter) Over Legal Representation Issue”
Alexandre de Moraes Orders X Suspension
Immediate Suspension
Alexandre de Moraes has mandated the “immediate and complete suspension” of X.
Compliance Required
X must adhere to all court orders and settle existing fines to resume operations.
Origins of the Dispute
The controversy started in April.
Disinformation Claims
The judge had ordered the suspension of several X accounts accused of spreading disinformation.
Elon Musk’s Response
Elon Musk criticized the decision, stating: “Free speech is vital for democracy, and a Brazilian judge is undermining it for political reasons.”
X Faces Brazil Ban
Access Issues
By Saturday morning, many users reported that they could no longer access the platform.
Office Closure
Earlier this month, X closed its Brazil office. The company claimed its representative faced arrest threats for not complying with what it called “censorship.”
Order for Account Blocking
Justice Moraes had ordered the blocking of X accounts linked to disinformation, including those supporting former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Legal Liability
Moraes stated that X’s legal representatives would be held accountable if any blocked accounts were reactivated.
Fines and Criticisms
X has been threatened with fines for non-compliance. Both X and Musk have criticized the judge, labeling him as left-wing.
Ongoing Conflicts
Brazil Bans X This dispute adds to Musk’s recent clashes with the EU and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Regulatory Actions
The head of Brazil’s telecommunications agency is enforcing the suspension.
App Removal Deadline
Moraes has given Apple and Google five days to remove X from their app stores and block it on iOS and Android.
Fines for Workarounds
Brazil Bans X Users or businesses using VPNs to access X could face fines of R$50,000 (£6,700).
Compliance Conditions
The ban will remain until X names a new legal representative in Brazil and pays the fines.
X’s Stance
X has stated it will not comply with Moraes’ orders, calling them illegal. The company maintains it will not violate Brazilian laws.
“Justice Moraes in Ongoing Dispute with X”
Starlink’s Bank Accounts Frozen
Supreme Court Orders
The Supreme Court in Brazil has frozen the bank accounts of Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet company. This follows a previous order.
Starlink’s Response
Brazil Bans X Starlink criticized the decision, claiming it is unfair. They argue that the order wrongly holds them accountable for fines imposed on X.
Justice Moraes’s Notable Decisions
Social Media Restrictions
Justice Moraes has gained attention for his decisions to limit social media platforms in Brazil. His rulings have affected various companies.
Investigation of Bolsonaro
Moraes is also investigating former President Jair Bolsonaro and his supporters. The probe concerns their alleged involvement in an attempted coup on January 8 last year.
Previous Social Media Controversies in Brazil
Telegram Ban
Last year, Telegram faced a temporary ban in Brazil. The ban was due to its failure to block certain profiles as requested.
Whatsapp Bans
Meta’s messaging service, WhatsApp, experienced temporary bans in 2015 and 2016. The bans were for not complying with police requests for user data.