X Formerly Twitter Banned in Brazil After Disinformation Dispute

X, Formerly Twitter, Banned in Brazil After Disinformation Dispute

In a significant move, Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered an “immediate and complete suspension” of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, after it failed to comply with a court-ordered deadline to appoint a new legal representative in the country. The decision, made by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, mandates that X remains banned until it fulfills all legal requirements and pays outstanding fines.

The conflict traces back to April when Justice de Moraes ordered the suspension of several accounts on X for allegedly spreading disinformation. The judge’s orders were part of a broader campaign to combat fake news and online manipulation in Brazil, especially in the context of recent political turbulence. According to the court, X has failed to fully comply with these rulings, leading to escalating tensions between the platform and Brazilian authorities.

The decision by Justice de Moraes has sparked controversy and drawn strong reactions from X’s owner, Elon Musk. In response, Musk criticized the ruling, stating, “Free speech is the bedrock of democracy, and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes.” Musk’s remarks reflect his longstanding position advocating for minimal regulation of speech on social media platforms, a stance that has been a defining feature of his leadership since acquiring Twitter and rebranding it as X.

The ban is poised to have significant implications for the digital landscape in Brazil, where X has a large user base. The platform has been a critical space for public discourse, political debate, and social movements. The suspension raises questions about the balance between curbing disinformation and protecting freedom of expression, underscoring the challenges that social media platforms face in navigating differing legal and cultural landscapes worldwide.

The situation remains fluid, with observers closely watching to see whether X will comply with the court’s demands or escalate the dispute further.