A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has ordered the “immediate suspension” of social media platform X in the country, after a court-imposed deadline expired for the company to identify a legal representative in Brazil.
The background: The move is the latest chapter in an ongoing feud between Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and Elon Musk, which also included the freezing of the satellite internet provider Starlink’s financial accounts in Brazil.
In the decision, Moraes ordered the full and immediate suspension of X, formerly known as Twitter, in the country until all related court orders on X were complied with, including the payment of fines amounting $4.85 million (18.5 million reais) and the nomination of a legal representative in Brazil.
The key quote: “They’re shutting down the #1 source of truth in Brazil,” Musk said in a post on X on Friday.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the “immediate suspension” of social media platform X. Source: Getty / EVARISTO SA/AFP
What else to know: Earlier this year, Moraes ordered X to block accounts implicated in probes of alleged spreading of distorted news and hate.
Musk denounced the order as censorship. He responded by closing the company’s offices in Brazil but ensured the platform was still available in the country.
What happens now: Moraes ordered telecommunications regulator Anatel to implement the suspension order, and to confirm to the court within 24 hours that it has carried it out.
He said that individuals or companies who tried to keep access to the social network could be fined up to $13,175 (50,000 reais) a day.
