Brazil Supreme Court confirms decision against Elon Musk’s X

While a Brazilian judge had ordered the suspension of social network X (Twitter) due to non-compliance with local legislation, the Brazilian Supreme Court unanimously upheld this decision.

As a result, Elon Musk’s social network has been blocked throughout the country.

A panel of Brazil’s federal supreme court justices voted unanimously to uphold orders suspending the use of Elon Musk’s social network X nationwide. https://t.co/vdpwOVmUKP

— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 3, 2024

The suspension of social network X in Brazil was implemented on Saturday, following an order issued when Elon Musk, despite multiple requests from a judge, had refused to appoint a legal representative for the company in Brazil.

Under Brazilian law, any company operating in the country must have a local legal representative.

Misinformation is at the heart of this legal dispute between Elon Musk and the judge, which began last April, when the latter ordered the suspension of several accounts accused of spreading misinformation in Brazil.

Recall that the situation deteriorated last month, when X closed its office in Brazil after refusing to comply with what Musk considers censorship.

The judge harshly criticized X and Elon Musk, saying the latter saw himself as above the law. He ordered him to find a local representative or risk being blocked, a threat he was eventually forced to carry out.

Elon Musk described the ban on his platform as an attack on freedom of expression, and stepped up his criticism of Brazil’s Supreme Court and the government.

Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet company, has also reportedly refused to comply with the Brazilian court order to block X. This could result in similar sanctions for Starlink to those imposed on X.