Supreme Court of Brazil Bans Social Media Platform X Amidst Rift

X, earlier known as Twitter, was suspended in Brazil last week after missing a court-imposed deadline to appoint a new legal representative in the country. This move is the latest development in an ongoing dispute between Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and X’s owner, Elon Musk. The conflict began in April when Justice de Moraes ordered the suspension of numerous accounts accused of disseminating misinformation.

The Dispute: Elon Musk and Brazil’s Supreme Court

Elon Musk, renowned for his ventures with Tesla and SpaceX, has found himself at the center of a legal conflict with Brazil’s Supreme Court. The dispute originated when Musk’s platform, X, failed to comply with court orders to remove accounts accused of spreading false information and hate speech. Despite multiple warnings, Musk’s platform did not appoint a legal representative in Brazil—a requirement under the country’s internet regulations. Consequently, Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the suspension of X, escalating the disagreement.

Actions Taken Against X

On Friday, Justice de Moraes directed Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, to block access to X nationwide. The process of disabling the social media platform could span several hours or days as telecom carriers cease X traffic. Additionally, the judge froze the assets of Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet company, to settle unpaid fines totaling 18.5 million reais (approximately $3.28 million) imposed on X for its non-compliance.

Elon Musk’s Response

In reaction to the ban, Musk condemned the move, claiming, “Free speech is fundamental to democracy, and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is undermining it for political reasons.” Justice Moraes has also ordered Apple and Google to remove X from their app stores and to block its usage on iOS and Android devices within five days. Additionally, those accessing X through virtual private networks (VPNs) could be fined R$50,000 (about $8,910 or £6,780).

Public Reaction and Broader Implications

X has been a key platform in Brazil, especially for politicians, journalists, and influencers, making its suspension potentially impactful for political discussions ahead of the October municipal elections. While not as dominant as Facebook or Instagram, X plays a vital role in political debate.

Public opinion is split. Supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro see Musk as a defender against judicial overreach, while some legal experts question the ban’s fairness and the penalties for users using VPNs to access X. The Brazilian Bar Association is calling for a review of these fines.

With X blocked, many Brazilians are flocking to Bluesky, which recently gained half a million new users in Brazil. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has directed his followers to Bluesky and other platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads, TikTok, and Facebook. Bluesky CEO Jay Graber celebrated this surge, saying, “Good job Brazil, you made the right choice.”

This shutdown highlights the growing friction between global tech companies and national governments over issues of regulation and free speech, underscoring the complex challenges faced by social media platforms. It also shows the increased impact of social media in forming public opinions.