Rio de Janeiro, August 29, 2024 — The Brazilian Supreme Court has issued a stark warning to X, formerly known as Twitter, threatening to suspend its operations in Brazil unless the company’s billionaire owner, Elon Musk, appoints a legal representative in the country within 24 hours.
The threat comes from Justice Alexandre de Moraes, marking the latest escalation in a prolonged legal dispute between X and the Brazilian judiciary. The confrontation began earlier this year and centers on issues of free speech, misinformation, and far-right accounts on the platform. X has accused de Moraes of censorship and overreach in his judicial actions.
In a recent development, X announced it would be removing all remaining staff in Brazil “effective immediately,” citing threats of arrest against its legal representative by de Moraes. This move follows an earlier investigation launched by de Moraes into Musk for allegedly spreading defamatory fake news, as well as probes into potential obstruction, incitement, and criminal organization.
The Supreme Court communicated its latest order through a response to a post from X’s global government affairs account, stating that failure to comply with de Moraes’ demand could lead to a suspension of the social media network’s activities in Brazil.
In Brazil, free speech is subject to more limitations compared to the United States, where such rights are constitutionally protected with fewer restrictions. De Moraes’ actions have been controversial, with critics on Brazil’s political right accusing him of infringing on free speech and engaging in political persecution. Supporters argue that his measures are necessary to uphold democracy and address the spread of harmful misinformation.
This ongoing conflict highlights the tensions between global tech platforms and national legal systems, with significant implications for both Brazilian digital policy and the broader international landscape of internet governance.
