WHY DID BRAZIL BAN X?
Brazil did not ban X out of the blue.
From 2020 to 2023, the Supreme Court in Brazil initiated three key criminal inquiries related to social media platforms.
The first inquiry investigated fraudulent news. The second investigated organised groups that manipulate discourse and engagement on digital platforms (known as “milicias digitais”). The third investigated individuals and groups involved in an attack on Brazil’s Congress in 2023, following the defeat of former president Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 general election.
Then, in April this year, de Moraes ordered Musk to shut down several far-right accounts which had spread misinformation and disinformation about Bolsonaro’s 2022 defeat.
This was not the first time X had received an order such as this.
For example, in January 2023, following the Congress attack, the Brazilian Supreme Court also ordered X and other social media platforms to block some accounts. Musk showed concern, but his platform ended up agreeing to the order.
However, this time Musk refused and subsequently removed X’s legal representative in Brazil. This was a significant development, as Brazilian law requires foreign companies to have legal representation in the country.
De Moraes gave Musk a deadline to appoint a new representative. The tech billionaire did not meet it, which was what triggered the ban of X.
Simultaneously, de Moraes also blocked the financial accounts of Musk’s internet satellite service, Starlink.
The ban on X will continue until Musk complies with all related court orders, including nominating a legal representative in Brazil and paying fines over US$3 million.
Source: CNA
