X Blocked By Brazil As Feud With Elon Musk Escalates

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In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing feud between Elon Musk and Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, X (formerly Twitter) has been blocked in Brazil. This move cuts off the platform’s access to a market of 40 million monthly users, according to Emarketer, and marks a significant turning point in the battle over free speech and content moderation in the country.

X vs Brazil

The conflict, which has been brewing for months, reached a boiling point when X refused to comply with de Moraes’ order to appoint a local legal representative in Brazil. This representative would have been responsible for facilitating judicial requests to block users accused of spreading misinformation.

In response to X’s non-compliance, de Moraes issued a suspension order on Friday, August 30, 2024. The judge’s decision gives internet service providers and app stores five days to block access to X, with the platform remaining blocked until it complies with all related court orders.

Brazil Blocks X

Elon Musk, the self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist” and owner of Twitter (currently called X), has been vocal in his opposition to de Moraes’ actions. In a post on X, Musk complained that the judge an “outright criminal of the worst kind, masquerading as a judge” and in a lame Harry Potter reference, referred to him as “Dictator de Voldemort.”

X’s official Global Government Affairs page stated, “They’re shutting down the #1 source of truth in Brazil,” claiming that the platform is being punished for refusing to comply with “illegal orders to censor his political opponents.”

Brazil’s Crack Down On Misinformation And Hate Speech

This clash is part of a larger debate over content moderation and free speech in Brazil. De Moraes has been leading efforts to crack down on misinformation and hate speech, particularly in the wake of the 2022 presidential election and ahead of upcoming municipal elections in October 2024.

This clash is part of a larger debate over content moderation and free speech in Brazil.

Critics, including Musk, argue that these efforts amount to censorship and stifle political discourse. Supporters of de Moraes, however, contend that his actions are necessary to protect democracy in a time of heightened polarization and online manipulation.

Starlink Becomes Collateral Damage In X vs Brazil Fight

The conflict has spilled over to affect other Musk-owned companies. Earlier this week, de Moraes ordered the freezing of local bank accounts belonging to Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet company. Starlink called this move an “unconstitutional attempt to hold it responsible for X’s actions.”

In response, Musk announced that Starlink would continue to serve Brazilian customers for free “until this matter is resolved,” as the company cannot receive payments due to the account freeze.

Fines For VPN Users Accessing X

As the situation unfolds, Brazilians are left grappling with the implications of this high-stakes standoff. Many users have reportedly begun seeking ways to circumvent the block, with searches for VPN services spiking in the country. But any Brazilians accessing X via a VPN risk a $8,774 daily fine.

The blocking of X in Brazil raises important questions about the balance between free speech and content moderation in the digital age. It also highlights the growing tension between tech giants and national governments over control of online spaces.

As this story continues to develop, it’s clear that the outcome will have far-reaching consequences for social media regulation, not just in Brazil, but potentially around the world.

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