Brazil Braces for Potential X Ban as Legal Deadline Expires

Friday 30 August 2024 - 10:00

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, is anticipating a blockage in Brazil after failing to meet a deadline to appoint a new legal representative in the country. The platform closed its Brazilian office earlier this month, citing threats of arrest against its representative for non-compliance with what it termed "censorship" orders.

The dispute began in April when Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the suspension of numerous X accounts accused of disseminating disinformation. Elon Musk, the owner of X, has publicly threatened to reactivate these accounts and has criticized Justice Moraes, labeling him a "tyrant" and a "dictator."

Justice Moraes issued a 24-hour ultimatum to X, requiring the company to name a new legal representative or face suspension. The deadline passed at 20:00 local time (23:00 GMT) on Thursday. The order specified that a ban would remain in effect until X appoints a legal representative in Brazil and pays fines for alleged violations of Brazilian law.

Shortly after the deadline expired, X issued a statement from one of its official accounts, indicating non-compliance with the order. "Soon, we expect Judge Alexandre de Moraes will order X to be shut down in Brazil – simply because we would not comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents," the statement read. "The fundamental issue at stake here is that Judge de Moraes demands we break Brazil’s own laws. We simply won’t do that."

X further stated that it would not comply "in secret with illegal orders" and promised to publish the judge's demands in the coming days "in the interests of transparency."

Justice Moraes had ordered the blocking of X accounts accused of spreading disinformation, many of which were supporters of former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro, while investigations were ongoing. He also held X's legal representatives liable if any accounts were reactivated.

Meanwhile, the bank accounts of Mr. Musk's satellite internet firm, Starlink, have been frozen in Brazil following an order by the country's Supreme Court. Starlink responded with a post on X, stating that "the order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines levied - unconstitutionally - against X."

Mr. Musk also clarified on X that "SpaceX and X are two completely different companies with different shareholders." Starlink, a subsidiary of Mr. Musk's rocket firm SpaceX, received approval to operate in Brazil under the Bolsonaro government in 2022. With its vast territory, including remote regions in the Amazon, Brazil presents significant opportunities for Starlink, which specializes in providing internet services to isolated areas.

Justice Moraes has gained prominence for his decisions to restrict social media platforms in Brazil. He is also investigating Mr. Bolsonaro and his supporters for their alleged roles in an attempted coup on January 8, 2023.

X is not the first social media company to face pressure from Brazilian authorities. Last year, Telegram was temporarily banned for failing to cooperate with requests to block certain profiles. Meta's messaging service, WhatsApp, also faced temporary bans in 2015 and 2016 for refusing to comply with police requests for user data.

The ongoing dispute highlights the complex relationship between social media platforms and governmental authorities, with implications for freedom of speech and the enforcement of national laws.