Breaking News: Brazil Blocks Elon Musk’s Social Media Platform X

Brazil took a bold step on Saturday by blocking access to Elon Musk’s social media platform X after the company failed to comply with a court order. The platform was made largely inaccessible both on the web and through its mobile app, sparking an intense feud between Musk and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

X had missed a deadline to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, leading to the suspension. This move is part of a months-long battle over free speech, right-wing accounts, and misinformation. Brazil’s telecommunications regulator instructed internet service providers to suspend users’ access to the platform, which they began doing at midnight local time.

Justice de Moraes had warned Musk of possible consequences if he did not comply with the order, highlighting Musk’s disregard for Brazilian sovereignty. He set a daily fine for those using VPNs to access the platform and made it clear that the suspension will remain until X adheres to his directives.

The conflict also spilled over to Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet provider, whose accounts in Brazil were frozen earlier this week. X, a significant platform in Brazil, has faced challenges with advertisers since Musk’s acquisition.

X CEO Linda Yaccarino expressed disappointment, calling it a sad day for X users around the world, particularly in Brazil. She criticized Brazil for failing to uphold its constitution’s pledge against censorship.

The feud has escalated to legal battles and insults exchanged between Musk and de Moraes. Despite Musk’s claims of censorship, de Moraes defended his actions as necessary to uphold democracy and address the spread of misinformation.

The shutdown of X in Brazil is not unprecedented, with past instances of similar action against platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. Additionally, X has faced bans in authoritarian regimes while also being temporarily suspended in other countries.

As the situation evolves, users are exploring alternatives like BlueSky, while Starlink announced plans to provide free internet in Brazil until the matter is resolved. The legal battle continues, raising questions about the extent of regulatory power over digital platforms.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.