Brazil Supreme Court unanimously upholds judge's decision to block X/Twitter

The Brazilian Supreme Court has unanimously upheld a decision to block the social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, due to its failure to appoint a local legal representative as required by law. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who ordered the suspension, stated that X must comply with legal requirements and pay fines exceeding $3 million before the ban can be lifted. The court's decision has been interpreted as a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Musk and de Moraes, particularly regarding issues of free speech and misinformation. The ruling includes a daily fine for users accessing X via virtual private networks (VPNs), which has raised legal concerns among experts. Many Brazilians reported feeling disconnected from the world following the ban and have begun migrating to alternative platforms. The situation has also led to tensions with Musk's satellite internet provider, Starlink, which has refused to enforce the court's order. Legal experts have questioned the constitutionality of some of de Moraes' actions, while Musk has publicly criticized the judge, claiming his decisions violate Brazilian law. The conflict reflects broader political divisions in Brazil, particularly among supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who view de Moraes' actions as politically motivated.

- The Brazilian Supreme Court upheld a ban on Elon Musk's platform X for failing to comply with local legal requirements.

- The ruling includes fines for users accessing X through VPNs, raising legal concerns.

- Many Brazilians are migrating to alternative social media platforms due to the ban.

- Tensions have arisen between the court and Musk's satellite provider, Starlink, over compliance with the ruling.

- The conflict highlights political divisions in Brazil, particularly among supporters of former President Bolsonaro.