Brazil’s Supreme Court Orders Musk’s Social Media Platform X to Halt Operations

Brazil's Supreme Court has issued an order for the social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, to cease its operations within the country. The court set a deadline until Thursday for X to appoint a new legal representative or face suspension, as reported by BBC.

Legal Battle Between Elon Musk and Brazilian Judge

Elon Musk and Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes have been engaged in a public feud for several months. The latest development came when a Supreme Court justice in Brazil directed Musk's social media platform X to halt operations in the country until compliance with court orders and payment of existing fines, according to various media outlets.

Ultimatum and Consequences

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Judge Alexandre de Moraes granted the social media site a 24-hour deadline to appoint a new legal representative for addressing government requests related to account suspensions and payment of fines totaling 18.5 million reais ($3.28 million). Failure to comply would result in suspension, as reported by Reuters. The Thursday deadline passed without action from Musk or other company officials, leading to a subsequent order for the immediate and complete suspension of X's activities in Brazil, as per the BBC.

Threats and Freezing of Accounts

Judge de Moraes also warned individuals in Brazil using a VPN to access the site of potential fines amounting to nearly $9,000 per day. Additionally, he froze the accounts of another Musk-owned business, SpaceX's Starlink, in an attempt to collect fines imposed on X, according to The New York Times.

Defiance and Legal Disputes

A statement from X's Global Government Affairs office expressed expectations of a shutdown order from de Moraes due to the platform's refusal to comply with what they deemed as illegal directives to censor political adversaries. The office highlighted instances where legal challenges against the judge's actions were dismissed or overlooked, even resulting in the freezing of the bank accounts of their Brazilian legal representative.

Political Controversy and Legal Standing

The confrontation stems from de Moraes targeting content spread by "digital militias" that allegedly disseminate misinformation about former President Jair Bolsonaro. The judge's efforts to combat such narratives have garnered support from left-leaning factions while drawing opposition from right-wing supporters and Bolsonaro allies.

International Influence and Free Speech

The clash underscores the broader implications of international involvement in Brazil's internal affairs, with Musk's actions being viewed as interference in the country's legislative processes. X reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding freedom of speech amidst the legal standoff.

Escalation of Tensions

De Moraes' recent order has further exacerbated the public dispute between Musk and the Brazilian justice system. Musk's accusations of authoritarianism against de Moraes have escalated, with the tech mogul likening the judge to fictional antagonists and predicting legal repercussions.

Broader Implications and Democratic Concerns

Observers emphasize that the conflict transcends personal animosity between Musk and de Moraes, highlighting the significance of democratic principles and national sovereignty. Concerns have been raised about foreign entities influencing domestic policies and disregarding legal frameworks.

—————————————————————————————————————————————
By: ktangalakislippert@businessinsider.com (Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert)
Title: Brazil’s Supreme Court Orders Musk’s Social Media Platform X to Halt Operations
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/brazil-judge-orders-elon-musk-x-stop-operations-2024-8
Published Date: Sat, 31 Aug 2024 04:11:25 +0000