X goes offline in Brazil after Elon Musk's refusal to comply with local laws

X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, has been blocked in Brazil following Musk's refusal to comply with local laws, leading to a significant disruption for millions of users. The Brazilian Supreme Court enforced the ban after Musk failed to meet a deadline to appoint a legal representative for the platform, which had closed its local office earlier in August. The court's decision was influenced by concerns over the platform's role in spreading misinformation and hate speech, particularly in the context of political unrest following the January 2023 uprising by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. In response to the ban, many users migrated to the rival platform Bluesky, which gained approximately 500,000 new users in just two days. Prominent Brazilian influencers and politicians have voiced their opinions on the situation, with some supporting Musk and others celebrating the court's decision as a victory for the rule of law. Musk has publicly criticized the judge overseeing the case, further escalating tensions between his platform and Brazilian authorities. The incident highlights the ongoing conflict between tech companies and national regulations, particularly regarding content moderation and compliance with local laws.

- X has been blocked in Brazil due to Elon Musk's non-compliance with local laws.

- The ban followed a Supreme Court ruling aimed at curbing misinformation and hate speech.

- Millions of users have shifted to Bluesky, which gained 500,000 new users post-ban.

- The situation reflects broader tensions between tech companies and national regulations.

- Influencers and politicians in Brazil have expressed mixed reactions to the ban.