Brasilia, Sep 5 (EFE).- The Brazilian government has begun opening profiles on the social network Bluesky after the Supreme Court suspended the X service in the country due to repeated disregard by the company of tycoon Elon Musk for various judicial decisions.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined other state agencies in announcing the opening of its “official profile on the Bluesky social network: @itamaratygovbr.bsky.social.”
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had done the same before, making his debut in the butterfly net last weekend, after Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered X’s suspension as a precautionary measure.
The judge relied on “repeated disregard” of Supreme Court decisions that required the removal of dozens of profiles in the context of a trial on the massive dissemination of fake news and attacks on democracy and its institutions.
The decision of Judge De Moraes, whom Musk himself has been insulting and disqualifying for months through X, was ratified last Monday by the first chamber of the Supreme Court and will probably be judged in the coming days by the full court of 11 judges.
Just like the Foreign Ministry, most of the government ministries and agencies have opened accounts in Bluesky, as have the Supreme Court itself and a large number of politicians from the most varied parties and tendencies.
In the past week, Bluesky has reported receiving some 2.5 million new users in Brazil, bringing its total to over 5 million, compared to X’s 20 million in the country.
So far, only the far right, led by former President Jair Bolsonaro, seems to be resisting. Bolsonaro has not yet appeared on Bluesky and has called for a rally in the city of São Paulo this Saturday to reject X’s suspension, which he considers an act of “censorship” and a “violation” of freedom of expression.
According to Judge De Moraes, X’s “repeated disregard” of court orders would have the intention of “establishing an environment of total impunity and a ‘lawless land'” and facilitating “the actions of extremist groups and digital militias on social networks.”
It also encourages the “massive dissemination of Nazi, racist, fascist, hateful and anti-democratic speeches”, for which hundreds of far-right activists are being investigated.
This Thursday, the political controversy over the suspension of X crossed the borders of Brazil and was fueled by the Argentine president, Javier Milei, at a regional meeting of the Madrid Forum, sponsored by the Spanish party Vox and held in Buenos Aires.
Milei, like Bolsonaro and very much unlike Lula, has a close relationship with Elon Musk and, referring to the Brazilian president, said at the event that “who but a tyrant, who is wrong about everything, can endorse such an act of oppression.”
According to Milei, X is “the public arena where Brazilian and world citizens can express their voice and express their dissent.”
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2024-09-06 06:03:13
Brazilian Government Shifts to Bluesky Amid X Suspension by Supreme Court
In a dramatic turn of events, the Brazilian government has begun opening profiles on the social network Bluesky, following the Supreme Court’s suspension of X (formerly Twitter) in the country. The move comes after X’s parent company, owned by Elon Musk, repeatedly disregarded court decisions, leading to widespread concerns about the spread of misinformation and hate speech.
Government Agencies and Politicians Flock to Bluesky
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was among the first government agencies to announce its official presence on Bluesky, joining President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who made his debut on the platform last weekend. Most government ministries and agencies have since followed suit, including the Supreme Court itself. Politicians from various parties and ideologies have also opened accounts on Bluesky, with the notable exception of the far-right faction led by former President Jair Bolsonaro.
X’s Suspension: A Response to “Repeated Disregard” of Court Orders
The suspension of X was ordered by Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes as a precautionary measure, citing the company’s repeated disregard of judicial decisions. The court had required X to remove dozens of profiles spreading fake news and attacking democracy and its institutions. Judge De Moraes’ decision was later ratified by the first chamber of the Supreme Court and will likely be judged by the full court in the coming days.
Bluesky Sees Surge in New Users
In the wake of X’s suspension, Bluesky has reported a significant influx of new users in Brazil, with over 2.5 million joining the platform in just one week. This brings the total number of Bluesky users in Brazil to over 5 million, compared to X’s 20 million users in the country.
Bolsonaro’s Resistance and Allegations of Censorship
Former President Jair Bolsonaro, a vocal supporter of Elon Musk, has refused to join Bluesky and has called for a rally in São Paulo to protest X’s suspension. Bolsonaro has labelled the move as “censorship” and a “violation” of freedom of expression. However, Judge De Moraes has emphasized that X’s actions are tantamount to creating a “lawless land” and facilitating the spread of extremist ideologies.
Concerns Over Hate Speech and Misinformation
The controversy surrounding X’s suspension has highlighted deep-seated concerns about the spread of hate speech, misinformation, and anti-democratic rhetoric on social media. According to Judge De Moraes, X’s actions have enabled the “massive dissemination of Nazi, racist, fascist, hateful and anti-democratic speeches,” which are currently being investigated by authorities.
Regional Implications
The fallout from X’s suspension has even transcended Brazil’s borders, with Argentine president Javier Milei weighing in on the issue at a regional meeting of the Madrid Forum. The controversy has sparked a wider debate about the role of social media in shaping public discourse and the responsibilities of tech companies in maintaining a safe and respectful online environment.
Conclusion
As the Brazilian government and citizens increasingly turn to Bluesky, the controversy surrounding X’s suspension serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of responsible social media governance. The case highlights the need for tech companies to respect judicial decisions and prioritize the safety and dignity of their users. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial that policymakers, tech companies, and citizens work together to foster a culture of online civility and respect.
