Brazil blocks “X” and announces what will happen if people use it

• Brazil Takes Unexpected Action and Blocks X
• Announces Fines for Users of the App
• Why Was This Decision Made?

In an unprecedented move, Brazil began blocking the social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, in the early hours of Saturday.

This action has left the app largely inaccessible both on the web and mobile devices.

The company’s refusal to comply with the order from Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes triggered this action.

Justice Moraes had demanded that X appoint a legal representative in the country, according to reports by the Associated Press.

BRAZIL BLOCKS X: WHAT HAPPENED?

The dispute between Musk and Moraes has been developing for months, revolving around issues of freedom of expression, the spread of misinformation, and the management of far-right accounts on the platform.

X, formerly known as Twitter, has been a focal point in Brazil, a country where approximately 40 million people use the social network monthly.

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On Friday, Justice Moraes decided to suspend access to X in Brazil after the company failed to meet the 24-hour deadline to appoint a legal representative in the country.

In his ruling, Moraes described Musk’s attitude as a lack of respect for Brazilian sovereignty and the judiciary.

What Penalties Exist for Using X?

Furthermore, Moraes noted that the businessman behaves as if he were a supranational entity, immune to local laws.

To enforce the block, the Brazilian telecommunications regulator, Anatel, ordered Internet service providers to suspend access to the platform.

Starting at midnight on Saturday, local time, the main operators began executing the order.

Additionally, Moraes imposed a daily fine of 50,000 reais (approximately $8,900) for anyone attempting to access the social network using a VPN, although he later reversed his order to block these apps in stores.

Is X the Only App That Has Gone Through This Process and Been Blocked?

The conflict has also had repercussions for Musk’s other companies in Brazil.

The bank accounts of Starlink, his satellite internet provider in the country, have been frozen, preventing it from conducting transactions.

The judge justified this measure, arguing that both companies are part of the same economic group.

However, experts have questioned this, considering that there is no direct connection between the two companies beyond their common owner.

How Does This Incident Affect X?

Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, expressed her discontent with the situation, calling it a sad day for users of the platform worldwide, especially in Brazil.

Yaccarino argued that the South American country is not upholding its constitutional promise to prohibit censorship, referring to the suspension of the social network.

For his part, Musk has used his platform to openly criticize Justice Moraes, calling him «a criminal of the worst kind» and accusing him of censorship.

These statements have further fueled the tension between both parties at a time when freedom of expression and misinformation are sensitive issues in Brazil.

*WITH INFORMATION FROM AP.

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