BRAZIL.- A judge from the Supreme Court Brazilian company ordered this Friday the “immediate” suspension of the social network X in the country, after the tycoon Elon Musk failed to comply with the order to appoint, within 24 hours, a legal representative for the platform in Brazil.
The magistrate Alexander de Moraesthe author of the ruling, ordered the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel, regulatory body) to “immediately adopt all necessary measures” to make the decision effective “throughout the national territory.”
Why was X suspended in Brazil?
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The sentence is part of a investigation into the spread of fake news which includes the South African businessman on suspicion of having committed crimes of obstruction of justice, criminal organization and incitement to crime.
De Moraes said that he made this decision due to X’s “non-compliance with court orders” and “attempt to not submit to the Brazilian legal system” with the intention of “establishing an environment of total impunity and lawlessness.”
In this sense, ordered the “immediate” suspension until all court orders are complied with and the multi-million dollar fines imposed on X are paid.
According to the judge, the platform is also being “exploited” by “extremist groups” through the “massive dissemination of Nazi, fascist, anti-democratic and hate speech” on the eve of the municipal elections, which will be held in October.
X profiles in Brazil to be closed
This whole mess started months ago, after the Judge ordered the removal of a series of profiles for supposedly misinformand Musk refused to do so, accusing the judge of acting without apparent motive and in a secretive manner.
Some of these profiles belong to bloggers and spokesmen of the far right led by the former president. Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022), also investigated by spread fake newsattack democratic institutions and conspire to carry out a coup d’état.
More recently, on August 17, X announced that it was closing its office in Brazil to, according to the platform, “protect” its employees from “threats” by De Moraes to imprison them.
De Moraes responded by seizing the bank accounts of Musk’s Starlink, a satellite internet service provider with 215,000 active lines in Brazil, as a way of ensuring payment of the fines imposed on X.
On Wednesday, he forced Musk to appoint a legal representative in Brazil within 24 hours, or face suspension from X, which ended up happening on Friday.
Musk has consistently responded with fierce criticism of De Moraes, as well as Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Brazil is one of the countries in the world with the most active X users, with around 20 million.
This is not the first time that the Brazilian justice system has ordered the suspension of a social network. This has already happened with YouTube (2007), WhatsApp (2015 and 2016) and Telegram (2023) for lack of cooperation in various judicial investigations.
Read: X announces it will close in Brazil due to “censorship”
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2024-09-11 09:02:26
What led to the suspension of X in Brazil by the Supreme Court?
X Suspended in Brazil: A Move Against Fake News and Hate Speech
In a recent development, a Brazilian Supreme Court judge ordered the immediate suspension of the social network X in Brazil. This move comes after X’s owner, Elon Musk, failed to comply with a court order to appoint a legal representative for the platform in Brazil within 24 hours. This decision is part of a larger investigation into the spread of fake news and hate speech on the platform [[3]].
The Reason Behind the Suspension
The suspension of X in Brazil is a response to the platform’s non-compliance with court orders and its attempt to operate outside of the Brazilian legal system. According to Judge Alexander de Moraes, X’s actions were aimed at establishing an environment of “total impunity and lawlessness” [[query]]. The judge also highlighted the platform’s exploitation by extremist groups, which have used X to disseminate Nazi, fascist, anti-democratic, and hate speech, particularly in the lead-up to the municipal elections in October [[query]].
The Investigation into Fake News and Hate Speech
The investigation into X’s role in spreading fake news and hate speech is ongoing. The platform has been accused of hosting profiles that misinform and attack democratic institutions, with some of these profiles belonging to bloggers and spokesmen of the far-right led by former President Jair Bolsonaro [[query]]. Bolsonaro himself is under investigation for spreading fake news and attempting to carry out a coup d’état [[query]].
The Consequences of Non-Compliance
This is not the first time X has faced consequences for non-compliance with court orders. In August, X announced that it was closing its office in Brazil to “protect” its employees from “threats” by Judge de Moraes to imprison them [[query]]. In response, Judge de Moraes seized the bank accounts of Musk’s Starlink, a satellite internet service provider with 215,000 active lines in Brazil, to ensure payment of the fines imposed on X [[query]].
Elon Musk’s Response
Elon Musk has been critical of Judge de Moraes and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, accusing them of acting without apparent motive and in a secretive manner [[query]].
A Move Against Hate Speech and Fake News
The suspension of X in Brazil is a significant move against hate speech and fake news. As the country prepares for municipal elections in October, it is essential to ensure that social media platforms are not exploited to spread misinformation and incite violence. The Brazilian government’s actions are a warning to social media companies that they must comply with local laws and regulations to operate in the country.
Other Social Networks Suspended in Brazil
X is not the only social network to be suspended in Brazil. Other platforms have also faced suspension for non-compliance with court orders and spreading hate speech and fake news [[query]].
Conclusion
The suspension of X in Brazil is a significant development in the fight against hate speech and fake news. It highlights the importance of social media companies complying with local laws and regulations to operate in a country. As the world becomes increasingly digital, it is essential for governments and tech companies to work together to ensure that social media platforms are not exploited to spread misinformation and incite violence.
References
[1] SpaceX – https://www.spacex.com/
[2] Elon Musk on X – https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1833653917110145098
[3] Financial Times – https://www.ft.com/content/c4849a3a-cdaa-487c-8845-b54e50356add
**PAA Questions:**
Brazil Suspends X: Understanding the Reasons and Consequences
In a recent development, a Brazilian Supreme Court judge has ordered the “immediate” suspension of the social network X in the country. This move comes after Elon Musk, the tycoon behind X, failed to comply with the court’s order to appoint a legal representative for the platform in Brazil within 24 hours[[[2]]. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind this suspension and its implications for X users in Brazil.
Why was X Suspended in Brazil?
The suspension of X in Brazil is part of an investigation into the spread of fake news, which includes Musk on suspicion of having committed crimes of obstruction of justice, criminal organization, and incitement to crime[[[1]]. According to Judge Alexander de Moraes, X has consistently failed to comply with court orders and has attempted to circumvent the Brazilian legal system, establishing an environment of total impunity and lawlessness.
X Profiles in Brazil to be Closed
The controversy began months ago when Judge de Moraes ordered the removal of several profiles for allegedly spreading misinformation. Musk refused to comply, accusing the judge of acting without apparent motive and in a secretive manner. Some of these profiles belong to bloggers and spokesmen of the far right led by former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is also under investigation for spreading fake news and attacking democratic institutions.
Social Networks that were Suspended in Brazil
X is not the first social network to be suspended in Brazil. In recent times, the country has seen a crackdown on social media platforms that have failed to comply with court orders and regulations. This move is seen as an effort to curb the spread of misinformation and hate speech, particularly in the lead-up to the municipal elections in October.
What Led to the Suspension of X in Brazil by the Supreme Court?
The suspension of X in Brazil is a culmination of a series of events that have led to a standoff between Musk and the Brazilian authorities. In August, X closed its office in Brazil, citing threats by Judge de Moraes to imprison its employees. In response, the judge seized the bank accounts of Musk’s Starlink, a satellite internet service provider with 215,000 active lines in Brazil, as a way of ensuring payment of the fines imposed on X.
Consequences of the Suspension
The suspension of X in Brazil has significant implications for its users in the country. With over 215,000 active lines in Brazil, the suspension of X is likely to affect thousands of users who rely on the platform for communication and information. Additionally, the move is likely to have a broader impact on the social media landscape in Brazil, as other platforms may face similar scrutiny and regulations.
Alternatives to X in Brazil
In the wake of the suspension, users in Brazil are now turning to alternative social media platforms to stay connected and access information. Some of the popular alternatives include Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, which are still operational in the country. However, it remains to be seen how these platforms will fare in the face of increasing regulatory pressure in Brazil [[3]].
the suspension of
