Brazil Supreme Court Cracks Down on X: Elon Musk App Banned and Fines Imposed!
In a dramatic turn of events, Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered a nationwide block on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. This decision comes after X’s owner, Elon Musk, refused to follow court orders to address accounts that were deemed harmful to Brazil’s democratic process. Here’s what you need to know about the situation.
Apple and Google Given 5 Days to Remove X
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Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has mandated that the social media app X be removed from the app stores of major tech companies. Apple and Google now have just five days to take down the app from their platforms. The Brazilian telecommunications agency, Anatel, has confirmed it has received this order, and internet service providers (ISPs) in Brazil have only 24 hours to comply.
New Penalties for Using X
The Supreme Court’s order not only blocks access to X but also makes it illegal to use the app via a virtual private network (VPN). Anyone caught using X through a VPN could face a daily fine of 50,000 Brazilian Real, which is about $8,900.
SpaceX’s Starlink Also Targeted
In a bid to pressure Musk, Justice Moraes has frozen the Brazilian bank accounts of SpaceX’s Starlink internet service. This move is part of a broader effort to enforce compliance with the court’s orders. Starlink, like X, is a private company majority-owned by Musk. X also has $3 million in unpaid fines related to this case. Just before this action, Justice Moraes had warned that X would be banned entirely in Brazil if it failed to appoint a legal representative in the country.
Starlink’s Response
Starlink has expressed its disapproval of the court’s decision and is planning to challenge the ruling. The company has even suggested it might make its services free to bypass the restrictions imposed by the court.
Background of the Dispute
The legal battle between Justice Moraes and Musk has been ongoing for months. Justice Moraes, who also serves as Brazil’s electoral authority, has been overseeing efforts to combat misinformation in the lead-up to Brazil’s 2022 presidential election. The election was marred by attempts to spread false information, leading Moraes to issue orders to remove such content. He previously blocked the messaging app Telegram for similar issues, though this block was later lifted when compliance was achieved.
Musk’s Position
Musk has labeled Moraes’ directives as “censorship orders.” Earlier this month, Musk further escalated the situation by closing X’s Brazilian office, citing the need to protect staff safety. X’s Global Governments Affairs team has also vowed to publish all of “Judge de Moraes’ illegal demands and related court filings.”
The clash between Brazil’s Supreme Court and Elon Musk highlights a growing global debate over online content regulation and the balance between freedom of expression and protecting democratic processes. As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial to watch how it impacts both X and SpaceX in Brazil.
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