Formerly known as Twitter, X was banned in Brazil following its failure to meet a Supreme Court judge’s deadline to appoint a new legal representative in the country. Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the “immediate and complete suspension” of the platform until it complies with all court orders and pays outstanding fines.
The conflict began in April when the judge ordered the suspension of dozens of X accounts accused of spreading disinformation, many of which were linked to supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Despite being ordered to block these accounts, X refused, leading to escalating fines and now, a complete ban.
Elon Musk Responds to the Ban
X owner Elon Musk criticized the ban, accusing Justice Moraes of destroying free speech for political purposes. The platform, used by 10% of Brazil’s population, closed its Brazilian office earlier this month, citing threats of arrest against its representatives for non-compliance with what it called “censorship.”
Wider Impact and Next Steps
The head of Brazil’s telecommunications agency is working to enforce the ban, with companies like Apple and Google given five days to remove X from their app stores. Those using VPNs to access the platform risk fines of R$50,000 (£6,700). The ban will stay in place until X appoints a new legal representative and settles its fines.
Meanwhile, accounts belonging to Musk’s satellite internet firm, Starlink, have also been frozen in Brazil following an earlier court order. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between Musk and global regulatory bodies, with X’s legal battles continuing to unfold.
