X is preparing for a potential ban in Brazil after missing a court deadline to appoint a new legal representative in the country.
The company’s defiance comes in response to a months-long legal battle with Brazil’s Supreme Court. This is centered around accusations of spreading disinformation and failing to comply with court orders. The conflict reached a critical point when Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes gave X 24 hours to name a new legal representative or face suspension.
The deadline passed on Thursday evening. It has left X on the brink of being blocked in Brazil. The company has made it clear it has no intention of complying with the judge’s demands.
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The Root of the Dispute
Disinformation and Legal Wrangling
The dispute began in April when Justice Moraes ordered the suspension of dozens of X accounts accused of spreading disinformation. Many of the accounts belonged to supporters of former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro.
The judge’s order was part of a broader investigation into the spread of false information and its potential impact on public safety and democratic processes in Brazil. X owner Elon Musk, who acquired the platform in late 2022, has been vocal in his opposition to the court’s orders.
Musk has described Justice Moraes as a “tyrant” and a “dictator.” He has also threatened to reactivate the suspended accounts, challenging the legitimacy of the court’s decisions.
The legal representative for X in Brazil resigned earlier this month after facing threats of arrest for non-compliance with the court’s orders, leading to the current standoff.
X’s decision to close its office in Brazil further escalated the situation. The move signals the company’s unwillingness to comply with what it views as “illegal” and “censorship-driven” demands.
The Stakes for X in Brazil
In a post from one of its official accounts shortly after the deadline expired, X stated:
“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 platform emphasized it would not comply “in secret with illegal orders.” Musk has promised to publish the judge’s demands “in the interests of transparency.”
The order from Justice Moraes stipulates the ban on X will remain in effect until the company appoints a legal representative in Brazil and pays fines for alleged violations of Brazilian law.
The judge has made it clear that the platform’s legal representatives will be held accountable if any of the suspended accounts are reactivated.
Broader Implications and Responses
Tensions with the Brazilian Government
The situation has broader implications for Musk’s business interests in Brazil. The bank accounts of Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet company, have been frozen following a Supreme Court order. The move appears to be connected to the ongoing legal battle between X and the Brazilian judiciary.
Starlink responded with a post on X, stating:
“The order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines levied – unconstitutionally – against X.”
Musk has sought to distance Starlink from the controversy, asserting:
“SpaceX and X are two completely different companies with different shareholders.”
Despite this, the legal actions taken against Starlink underscore the far-reaching impact of the dispute on Musk’s operations in Brazil.
A Pattern of Social Media Crackdowns
X is not the first social media platform to face regulatory pressure in Brazil. Last year, the messaging platform Telegram was temporarily banned for failing to cooperate with requests to block certain profiles.
Meta’s WhatsApp also faced temporary bans in 2015 and 2016 over its refusal to comply with police requests for user data.Justice Moraes has gained prominence for his role in restricting social media platforms in Brazil, particularly in the context of investigations related to former President Bolsonaro.
The judge is also investigating Bolsonaro and his supporters for their roles in an alleged attempted coup on January 8, 2023.
What’s Next for X in Brazil?
As the deadline has passed without compliance from X, the platform now faces the possibility of being blocked in Brazil.
The outcome of this standoff could set a significant precedent for how social media companies interact with government authorities in Brazil and other countries with strict content regulations.
The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further legal developments or negotiations between X and the Brazilian government.
For now, the platform’s future in South America’s largest country hangs in the balance, with implications that could resonate throughout the global tech industry.
