- A judicial authority mandates confinement of X following a dispute with Musk.
A Brazilian judge, Judge Alexandre de Moraes from the Supreme Court, mandated the closure of Elon Musk's digital platform X following a prolonged disagreement. De Moraes directed the National Telecommunications Agency to execute this order within 24 hours, claiming that X failed to effectively combat hate speech and false information. Musk, on the other hand, argued for freedom of speech and labeled the judge as a "tyrant-like figure."
The issue escalated when the judge requested X to ban the accounts of right-wing activists peddling conspiracy theories and misinformation. Musk deemed this request unlawful, and X refused to comply, as well as refused to pay the imposed penalties.
Consequently, Musk closed X's Brazilian office in August, mentioning concerns about arresting an earlier representative. De Moraes issued X an ultimatum this week: designate a legal representative in 24 hours or face the closure of the platform. Musk overlooked the deadline.
Instead, he fueled sentiment against De Moraes on X, with his 196 million followers. Among other things, Musk posted an imagined AI-generated portrait suggesting De Moraes' imprisonment. "Consider my warning," Musk cautioned De Moraes.
Musk's substantial involvement in Tesla, the electric vehicle company he oversees, makes him the world's wealthiest individual, with an estimated worth of $239 billion, according to Bloomberg's financial services.
Later, De Moraes withdrew the threat of a daily fine of 50,000 Brazilian Real (approximately $8,000) for users circumventing the block using technologies like VPN services. He also rescinded his initial instruction for Google and Apple to remove the X app from their download stores and block its use within five days, citing a desire to avoid inconveniencing other companies.
Musk, who is affiliated with the American right and a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, maintains himself as a champion of free speech. He accuses De Moraes of censorship. "Alexandre de Moraes is a fake judge disguised as a dictator," Musk wrote on X. Under his influence, X has also adhered to government demands in India to block certain accounts and content.
In Brazil, X has been utilized to organize activities against democracy. Digitally-armored militias, linked to former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, have disseminated false information and hate speech on social media. Some of the accounts De Moraes requested X to block questioned the validity of Bolsonaro's defeat in the election and displayed support for his supporters who invaded the parliament building and the Supreme Court.
As advertising income in the U.S., X's home market, declines due to its rightward shift under Musk, international markets such as Brazil, with over 200 million inhabitants, have become increasingly vital for X's financial stability. Reports suggest that X has around 20 million users in the Latin American country.
Elon Musk continued to criticize Judge Alexandre de Moraes on X, using his large following to voice his opposition. Musk's posts included an AI-generated portrait suggesting De Moraes' imprisonment.
Despite the ongoing disagreement, Elon Musk's digital platform X remains operational in Brazil, despite the threats and orders issued by Judge Alexandre de Moraes.
