The social network X was suspended on Friday in Brazil, by decision of the Federal Supreme Court, after the rejection of the ultimatum granted to its owner Elon Musk to appoint a legal representative in the country.
According to this decision by Judge Alexandre de Moraes, a leading figure in the fight against disinformation, it was announced that “immediate, complete and integral suspension of the operation of +X Brasil Internet LTDA+ in the territory” of the largest country in Latin America.
The magistrate also asked tech giants Google and Apple, as well as internet service providers, to“introduce technological barriers that may prevent the use of application X” and access to the website.
He also threatened sanctions of up to 50,000 reals (about $9,000) per day for people who circumvent the blocks through “technological subterfuges,” such as using VPNs.
The National Telecommunications Agency confirmed that it had been notified by the Court, affirming the “implementation” of these decisions.
The suspension will remain in effect until the platform complies with the requirements, pays the fines imposed on it and appoints a legal representative.
In the midst of this standoff over X, which has 22 million users in Brazil, the court had also blocked the local bank accounts of the satellite company Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, to recover unpaid fines.
The move comes just over a month before municipal elections in the country, amid an ultra-polarized landscape between current left-wing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his right-wing predecessor Jair Bolsonaro.
Judge Moraes denounced X’s “attempt” to escape “the Brazilian legal order and judiciary, to establish a climate of total impunity and anarchy on Brazilian social networks, including during municipal elections.”
“Freedom of expression is the foundation of democracy and in Brazil an unelected pseudo-judge is destroying it for political reasons (…) Freedom of expression is the foundation of democracy,” reacted the American billionaire to the announcement.
“Who does he think he is?” President Lula said Friday, referring to Elon Musk. “Any citizen from any part of the world who has investments in Brazil is subject to the Brazilian Constitution and laws,” he stressed.
On August 17, Elon Musk announced the closure of X’s offices in Brazil, citing the actions of Judge Moraes, while leaving the service available there.
As in other countries, X is highly prized in Brazil, both by politicians and journalists, and constitutes a privileged arena even in the current municipal campaign.
In the past, platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp have been temporarily suspended in Brazil by court orders.