Brazil's telecommunications regulator announced on Friday that it is moving forward with plans to suspend access to Elon Musk's X social network, following a judge's order. This development is part of an ongoing legal conflict between Musk and a Brazilian Supreme Court justice.
Court-Imposed Deadline
The decision came after the social media platform failed to meet a court-mandated deadline to appoint a legal representative in Brazil. Musk has criticized Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, accusing him of attempting to enforce unjustified censorship. Meanwhile, Moraes has emphasized the need for regulations on hate speech in social media.
In response to the situation, Musk posted on X, stating, "They’re shutting down the #1 source of truth in Brazil."
The conflict has also impacted other Musk-led ventures in Brazil. Earlier this week, the bank accounts of Starlink, a satellite internet provider owned by Musk's SpaceX, were frozen as part of the legal proceedings.
Justice Moraes has ordered that X be suspended in Brazil until all court orders are followed. These orders include paying over $3 million in fines and appointing a local representative as required by Brazilian law. The telecommunications regulator, Anatel, has been tasked with executing the suspension order.
For the suspension to be effective, Brazilian telecommunications companies will need to halt the platform's traffic. They must also prevent users from accessing the site through virtual private networks (VPNs). Moraes has imposed a fine of up to 50,000 reais (approximately $9,000) per day for those who continue to use VPNs to access X.
Initially, tech giants Apple and Google were ordered to remove the X app from their respective app stores. They were also instructed to implement anti-VPN measures to prevent users from accessing the platform. However, Moraes later reversed this part of his ruling, deeming it unnecessary.
Judicial Power and Backlash
In Brazil, Supreme Court judges hold significant authority, often making unilateral decisions. In this case, Moraes has received support from a majority of the 11-member court, including Chief Justice Roberto Barroso.
The legal dispute traces back to an earlier order from Moraes, requiring X to block accounts involved in investigations related to the spread of misinformation and hate speech. Musk has labeled this order as censorship. In response, he closed the company's offices in Brazil but kept the platform operational.
Despite the challenges, Musk has stated that Starlink will continue to serve Brazilians, including the military, free of charge "until this matter is resolved."
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva emphasized that all businesses operating in the country must adhere to legal obligations. He stated, "Just because a guy has a lot of money doesn’t mean he can disrespect the law."
Musk, in turn, referred to the president as Moraes’ "lapdog" and labeled the judge a "dictator" in a recent post.
Despite the tension, Moraes remains firm in his position. At an event on Friday, he stated, "Those who violate democracy and fundamental human rights, whether in person or through social media, must be held accountable."
Inputs by Reuters
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
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