X braced for Brazil ban as judge’s deadline passes

X, previously known as Twitter, is bracing for a possible ban in Brazil after missing a deadline to appoint a new legal representative. The social media platform, which closed its office in Brazil earlier this month, had cited threats of arrest against its former representative as a key factor in its decision. X described these threats as attempts at “censorship.”

The conflict dates back to April, when Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes issued an order to suspend several X accounts accused of disseminating disinformation. These accounts were primarily linked to supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. In response, X’s owner, Elon Musk, criticized Judge Moraes, labeling him a “tyrant” and a “dictator.” Musk also threatened to reactivate the suspended accounts.

Judge Moraes had given X a 24-hour ultimatum to appoint a new legal representative and address fines for alleged breaches of Brazilian law. The deadline passed on Thursday evening, with no compliance from X. Shortly after, X issued a statement indicating that it expected Judge Moraes to enforce a suspension. The company asserted that it would not adhere to what it deemed as “illegal orders” to censor political opponents.

X’s statement emphasized its refusal to follow “illegal orders” and promised to disclose the judge’s demands publicly in the interest of transparency. The Supreme Court’s order mandated that X’s ban would continue until a new legal representative was appointed and fines for alleged violations were paid.

The dispute has intensified with recent developments. The bank accounts of Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet venture, have been frozen by Brazil’s Supreme Court. Starlink claimed that the freeze was based on an “unfounded” ruling that it should be liable for fines against X. Musk has pointed out that Starlink and X are distinct entities with separate shareholders, despite their intertwined interests.

Starlink, which provides internet services to remote areas, including those in the Amazon, received approval from the Bolsonaro administration in 2022. Given Brazil’s vast and isolated regions, Starlink’s services are seen as crucial for expanding internet access.

Judge Moraes has become a prominent figure in Brazil for his stringent measures against social media platforms. His actions are part of a broader investigation into Bolsonaro and his supporters concerning an alleged coup attempt on January 8 of the previous year.

This situation is not unique to X. Other social media platforms have faced pressure from Brazilian authorities in the past. In 2023, Telegram was temporarily banned for not complying with orders to block specific profiles. Similarly, Meta’s WhatsApp experienced temporary bans in 2015 and 2016 for failing to provide user data to law enforcement.

As the standoff between X and Brazilian authorities continues, the platform’s future in Brazil remains uncertain. The ongoing legal and political battle highlights the challenges social media companies face when navigating international regulatory environments.