2024-08-30 23:43:31
A Brazilian Supreme Court judge on Friday ordered a 24-hour suspension of X, the social network owned by Elon Musk, after a lengthy legal battle.
Elon Musk responded by accusing Judge Alexandre de Morais of being “politically motivated” in making the decision, declaring that the latter “undermines freedom of speech,” which is essential to democracy. pillar.
→ Also read: Brazil: Supreme Court judge orders “immediate” deletion of social networks
The confrontation was the latest episode in an ongoing conflict between Musk and Judge Moraes, a key figure in Brazil’s fight against disinformation. Moraes initially gave Platform X an ultimatum to appoint a legal representative in Brazil or face a blockade. It is estimated that X has about 22 million users in the country.
The judge’s decision orders the “immediate, comprehensive and complete cessation of the operations of ‘X Brasil Internet LTDA’ on the national territory.” The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) is tasked with taking all necessary measures to make the suspension effective and calls on Google and Apple, among others Tech giants and Internet service providers “introduced technical barriers” to block access to X.
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Judge Moraes also threatened that anyone who uses methods such as virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent the blockade will be fined 50,000 reais (about 8,000 euros) per day.
When the ultimatum expired Thursday night, it was an attempt at political scrutiny. The suspension will remain in effect until the platform complies with the Brazilian court’s ruling, pays the fine and appoints legal representation.
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The conflict between Elon Musk and Judge Moraes is not new. In August, Musk announced the closure of X’s offices in Brazil, citing the judge’s behavior, while maintaining the service’s availability in the country. Judge Moraes also launched an investigation into Musk in April, accusing him of reactivating accounts previously suspended by the Brazilian judicial system.
In recent years, Moraes has ordered the blocking of the accounts of influential figures in Brazil’s ultraconservative movement for spreading “fake news,” particularly during the 2022 election campaign by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. After discrediting electronic voting systems and winning, Lula.
Responding to Musk’s recent attack on judges calling them “dictators,” Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Friday: “Any citizen with an investment in Brazil, regardless of origin, must comply with the Constitution and the Brazilian Constitution »
Musk is also the target of a judicial investigation into Brazil’s “digital militia” case, accused of using public funds to carry out disinformation campaigns that benefit Bolsonaro and his allies. In the past, platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp have also been temporarily shut down in Brazil following court orders.
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