Brazil has blocked Elon Musk’s social media platform X after the company missed a deadline to appoint a legal representative in the country, as ordered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
The suspension escalates a conflict between Musk and de Moraes, centered around issues of free speech, far-right content, and misinformation.
Brazil’s telecom regulator, Anatel, instructed internet service providers to cut access to X starting Saturday, making it largely inaccessible. The move follows Musk’s refusal to comply with the court’s demands, which de Moraes interpreted as a disregard for Brazilian law. The platform will remain blocked until X names a representative, with a daily fine imposed on those using VPNs to bypass the ban.
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This decision is part of a broader investigation into misinformation and extremist content, with de Moraes arguing that X has encouraged such behavior by not adhering to court orders. Musk has criticized the actions as censorship, while de Moraes’ supporters argue that the measures are necessary to protect democracy, especially with upcoming municipal elections.
The dispute has also led to the freezing of bank accounts of Musk’s satellite internet provider, Starlink, in Brazil. Despite the block, many Brazilian users are seeking ways to bypass it, and rival platforms are seeing an increase in activity as a result.