Banning X in Brazil
Recently, Judge Moraes ordered X to appoint a new legal representative in the country. However, X never did and seemed to disregard the order.
Source: Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash
As a result, Moraes threatened to ban X, as the judge stated that the social media company was not adhering to the country’s legal system.
Moraes vs Musk
In his decision to ban X after this lack of an appointment, Moraes stated that Musk saw himself above the law.
Source: Ministério Das Comunicações/Wikimedia Commons
The judge insinuated that Musk “showed his total disrespect for Brazilian sovereignty and, in particular, for the judiciary, setting himself up as a true supranational entity and immune to the laws of each country.”
X’s Legal Issues in Brazil
This latest banning comes as X and Musk face multiple legal issues in Brazil.
Source: engin akyurt/Unsplash
Musk specifically faces prosecution for “obstruction of justice, criminal organization, and incitement to crime.”
Using X to Spread Disinformation
According to Moraes, X has been used in Brazil to spread an incredible amount of disinformation. This inaccurate information has been spread by notorious far-right accounts.
Source: Alexander Shatov/Unsplash
This has led to attacks on federal government buildings after former president Jair Bolsonaro’s defeat. Now, judges in Brazil are looking to hold X and Musk responsible.
X Is Shut Down in Brazil
Because X wouldn’t appoint a legal representative in court, the social media platform has now been officially shut down throughout Brazil.
Source: Kaique Rocha/Pexels
Brazil remains one of X’s biggest international markets. This fact may be one of the reasons why Musk is heavily attacking the country’s legal system, and Moraes, online.
Musk Calls for Moraes’ Impeachment
Since X was banned in Brazil over the weekend, Musk has called for Moraes to be impeached, while also calling him a “dictator.”
Source: MINISTÉRIO DAS COMUNICAÇÕES/Wikimedia Commons
On X, the billionaire wrote, “He should be impeached for violating his oath of office.”
An Attack on Free Speech?
Musk also insinuated that Moraes’ ban on X is an attack on free speech.
Source: BoliviaInteligente/Unsplash
He wrote in another post on X, “Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes.”
The Threat of Imprisonment
X’s chief executive Linda Yaccarino has also made statements about this ongoing issue between the social media company and the legal system in Brazil.
Source: Julian Christ/Unsplash
According to Yaccarino, X’s legal representatives had previously been threatened by Brazil with imprisonment.
An Unfortunate Decision
Yaccarino also released a statement about Brazil’s decision to fully ban X.
Source: Agustin Diaz Gargiulo/Unsplash
“This is a sad day for X users around the world, especially those in Brazil, who are being denied access to our platform,” she said. “I wish it did not have to come to this – it breaks my heart.”
How X Is Banned in Brazil
Moraes told Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency that they had 24 hours to fully implement an “immediate, complete and comprehensive” ban on X after his ruling.
Source: Vanessa Bumbeers/Unsplash
Now, Brazilians throughout the country are restricted from even accessing the site.
Fining Those Who Access X
Moraes has also revealed that people who access X in Brazil by using a virtual private network (VPN) will face a fine. Brazilians are not able to access the social media platform through apps or the website.
Source: BoliviaInteligente/Unsplash
Brazilians face a fine of about 50,000 Reais ($8,892) if they use a VPN to access X.