Elon Musk’s X has come under scrutiny since August, owing to his endorsements and reluctance to ban illegal accounts accused of dismembering misinformation and failure to prohibit them. Musk has been previously cautioned by the Brazilian judge, Alexandre de Moraes, to comply with the country’s laws.
Brazil is widely recognized for its stringent laws, and individuals who fail to adhere to them are subjected to severe disciplinary measures. However, Musk, despite being warned, did not provide a legal representative or take any orders on X accounts, which were accused of spreading disinformation, many of which belonged to supporters of former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro.
It was intended for them to remain blocked while they were still under investigation. In the event of not receiving any legal appointment from Musk, the Brazilian government took drastic steps. They have banned the use of the tech giant’s social media app X.
Furthermore, they have also issued a warning for people or businesses in Brazil that use virtual private networks (VPNs) or other methods to access X. Meanwhile, the site is banned in the country with daily fines. Justice Moraes encouraged companies like Apple and Google to stop allowing X downloads in their app stores.
Musk came out and vented in a series of posts at De Moraes after the court had frozen the finances of Starlink (satellite internet service provided by Musk’s SpaceX in Brazil). The court in De Moraes fined X for breaking Brazilian laws and stopped Starlink from making money in Brazil until they paid the fines.
Musk went on X to reply, “The oppressive regime in Brazil is so afraid of the people learning the truth that they will bankrupt anyone who tries.”
Musk, criticized the verdict, branding Moraes an “evil dictator cosplaying as a judge” and accusing him of “trying to destroy democracy in Brazil.”
