Brazil’s Supreme Court has upheld a ban on the social media platform X in a unanimous decision that keeps the platform suspended in the country.
The court’s ruling, delivered on Saturday, comes after X failed to appoint a new legal representative in Brazil before a court-imposed deadline. The decision comes intensifying a legal feud between Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and X’s owner, Elon Musk.
The platform has been suspended in Brazil since early Saturday morning, marking the latest chapter in the ongoing conflict between Justice Moraes and Musk, which began in April.
The dispute originated when the judge ordered the suspension of dozens of X accounts for allegedly spreading disinformation, many of which were linked to supporters of former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro.
Supreme Court Ruling and Its Implications
Upholding the Ban
Justice Moraes had requested that a five-member panel of the Supreme Court rule on the suspension of X, a decision that has sparked division across Brazil.
The justices voted unanimously to uphold the ban, with one justice, Flávio Dino, emphasizing the importance of balancing freedom of expression with responsibility.
He said:
“Freedom of expression is closely linked to a duty of responsibility.
“The first can’t exist without the second, and vice-versa.”
In response to the ruling, Elon Musk criticized the decision, labeling it as a politically motivated attack on free speech.
Musk said:
“Free speech is the bedrock of democracy, and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes.”
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Enforcement and Compliance Measures
Justice Moraes has imposed strict measures to enforce the ban. This includes a five-day deadline for companies like Apple and Google to remove X from their app stores and block its use on iOS and Android devices.
People or businesses found accessing X via virtual private networks (VPNs) could face fines of R$50,000 ($8,910; £6,780).
The court’s decision follows X’s recent closure of its office in Brazil. The company claimed this move was prompted by threats of arrest against its representative. X has argued the court orders amount to censorship, which it claims is illegal under Brazilian law.
Brazil Turns to Alternative Platforms
Shift to Bluesky
With access to X blocked, many Brazilians have turned to alternative platforms, with the microblogging site Bluesky seeing a surge in new users. Bluesky reported registering half a million new users from Brazil over the past two days alone, as the country’s social media landscape adjusts to the absence of X.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is among those who have directed followers to Bluesky.
On Thursday, Lula tweeted links to his social media accounts on various platforms. His Bluesky profile featured alongside his Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads, TikTok, and Facebook accounts.
Bluesky CEO Jay Graber expressed her excitement over the influx of new users, posting in both Portuguese and English:
“Good job Brazil, you made the right choice.”
Impact on Social Media in Brazil
Brazil is one of the largest markets for X. The platform’s suspension is likely to have significant implications for the country’s digital landscape.
The case also underscores the potential consequences for social media platforms that fail to comply with local laws and regulations.
As the situation unfolds, both the Brazilian government and global observers will be watching closely to see how this legal conflict influences the broader debate over the role of social media in society.
