Hello and welcome to the details of Brazil watchdog to block X after court ruling, Musk calls judge a ‘dictator’ and president a ‘lapdog’ and now with the details
Nevin Al Sukari - Sana'a - Photo illustration of the logo of the social media platform X (former Twitter) in Rio de Janeiro August 30, 2024. A Brazilian Supreme Court judge yesterday ordered the suspension of Elon Musk’s X social media network in the country, after a months-long standoff over disinformation in South America’s largest nation. — Reuters pic
- Brazil watchdog moves to block access to Elon Musk’s X after court order
- Judge’s order comes after key legal deadline expires
- Telecoms regulator says it is proceeding with compliance
- Saga stems from dispute over regulating online speech
- X, formerly Twitter, still accessible as of yesterday evening
BRASILIA, Aug 31 — Brazil’s telecommunications regulator said yesterday it was proceeding to suspend access to Elon Musk’s X social network in the country in compliance with an order from a judge who has been locked in a months-long feud with the billionaire investor.
The move followed the expiry of a court-imposed deadline for the popular social media platform to name a legal representative in Brazil.
Musk has argued that Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes is trying to enforce unjustified censorship, while the judge has insisted that social media needs hate speech regulations.
“They’re shutting down the #1 source of truth in Brazil,” Musk said in a post on X yesterday.
X remained accessible in Brazil yesterday evening.
The feud has also led to the freezing earlier this week of satellite internet provider Starlink’s bank accounts in Brazil. Starlink is a unit of Musk-led rocket company SpaceX.
In his ruling, Moraes ordered that X, formerly Twitter, be suspended in Brazil until all related court orders were complied with, including the payment of more than US$3 million (RM12.9 million) in fines, as well as the designation of a local representative, as required by Brazilian law.
Moraes also ordered telecommunications regulator Anatel to implement the suspension order.
The agency told Reuters it is proceeding with compliance, but without specifying a timetable.
To effectively close X in Brazil, telecommunication companies will need to stop carrying the network’s traffic, while also preventing users of the site from dodging it by concealing their locations with virtual private networks, or VPNs.
Moraes further ordered that those who continued to access X via VPNs be fined up to 50,000 reais, or about US$9,000, per day.
Tech giants Apple and Alphabet’s Google were also initially instructed in the order to remove the X app from their app stores. Both companies were also ordered to implement so-called anti-VPN obstacles that would make it more difficult for users of Apple’s iOS operating system and Google’s Android to open the X app on phones or tablets.
But Moraes later reversed that part of his order, saying it would not be needed.
Press offices for both Apple and Google declined to comment.
Lapdogs and dictators?
Unlike in many other countries, Brazil’s Supreme Court judges are able to exercise sweeping powers to make unilateral decisions. But in the dispute over X, Moraes has been backed by a majority of the 11-member court, including Chief Justice Roberto Barroso.
The dispute has its roots in a Moraes order from earlier this year that required 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.
He has said that Starlink will continue to serve Brazilians, including the military, for free “until this matter is resolved.”
Earlier yesterday, Starlink asked the Supreme Court to suspend its decision to freeze its local bank accounts, arguing it has complied with all judicial orders. That request was dismissed yesterday evening.
Asked to comment, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva insisted that all businesses operating in the country must comply with their legal obligations.
“Just because a guy has a lot of money doesn’t mean he can disrespect (the law),” the leftist leader told local radio yesterday.
Musk derided the president as Moraes’ “lapdog” in a Thursday post in which he also called the judge a “dictator.”
At an event yesterday, Moraes showed no signs of backing down.
“Those who violate democracy, who violate fundamental human rights, whether in person or through social media, must be held accountable,” he said. — Reuters
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