Brazil’s supreme court has ordered the suspension of X, formerly Twitter, after Elon Musk failed to meet the deadline to appoint a new legal representative for the social media platform in the country.
In a ruling on Friday, Presiding Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the “immediate, complete and comprehensive suspension of the operation of” X in Brazil.
According to Judge Moraes, “The national communications agency must take all necessary measures to implement this order until X complies with all court orders and pays existing fines amounting to $3.28 million.”
Additionally, Moraes warned that using “technological subterfuges,” such as virtual private networks (VPNs), to circumvent the suspension would incur a fine of $8,900.
According to the judge, inciting speech has been spread through X and is harming Brazil’s democracy.
“We have a right to defend fundamental rights. Those who violate democracy, who violate fundamental human rights, whether in person or through social media, must be held accountable,” Moraes said.
The row began in April, with the judge ordering the suspension of dozens of X accounts for allegedly spreading disinformation.
Reacting to the decision, Musk accused the judge of violating free speech for political purposes.
X, via its official handle, tweeted “power to the people in Brazil and everywhere else”.
