A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has ordered the suspension of Elon Musk’s social media platform X, escalating a long-standing feud between the billionaire and Brazilian authorities over issues of free speech and misinformation. Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the ruling on Friday after Musk failed to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, a requirement for foreign companies operating in the country.
De Moraes had warned Musk earlier in the week that X would face a ban if he did not comply within 24 hours. The platform has been without a local representative since early August. In his decision, de Moraes mandated that internet service providers and app stores block access to X within five days, and users attempting to access the platform via VPNs could face fines of 50,000 reais (approximately $8,900) daily until compliance is achieved.
The ruling reflects broader tensions surrounding the regulation of social media in Brazil, particularly concerning far-right accounts and misinformation. Musk, who describes himself as a “free speech absolutist,” has accused de Moraes of censorship and has publicly criticized him, labeling the judge a “tyrant” and “dictator.” Meanwhile, de Moraes’ supporters argue that his actions are necessary to uphold democracy and are backed by Brazilian law requiring foreign entities to have local representation.
Brazil is a significant market for X, with around 40 million users, making this suspension a considerable blow to Musk’s operations in the region.
