X Halts Operations in Brazil Amidst Censorship Dispute

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has suspended its operations in Brazil following a dispute over censorship orders issued by a Brazilian Supreme Court judge. The platform’s closure comes after Judge Alexandre de Moraes threatened to arrest X’s legal representative in Brazil if the company did not adhere to his directives on blocking certain accounts.

Judge de Moraes had mandated that X block accounts suspected of spreading disinformation, particularly those associated with former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. The judge’s orders were part of an investigation into the spread of false information, which he claims is linked to Bolsonaro’s supporters.

In response to X’s criticism of de Moraes, the judge imposed daily fines of 100,000 reais (approximately $19,774 or £15,670) for any account that X reactivated. Furthermore, he warned that the company’s legal representatives in Brazil could face legal consequences if the orders were not followed. De Moraes also placed X owner Elon Musk under investigation on charges including obstruction of justice.

X argued that its Brazilian staff had no control over content moderation decisions and accused de Moraes of targeting local employees rather than addressing the issue through appropriate legal channels. To ensure the safety of its employees, X announced the immediate closure of its Brazilian office, citing de Moraes’s actions as incompatible with democratic principles.

Musk expressed his dissatisfaction with de Moraes’s actions on X, stating that there was no justification for the judge’s behavior and that the decision to shut down the Brazilian office was challenging but necessary to uphold the platform’s integrity. He emphasized that complying with de Moraes’s demands would compromise the company’s values.

The controversy reflects ongoing tensions in Brazil over freedom of expression and the role of social media in political discourse. De Moraes’s actions and his strained relationship with Bolsonaro’s supporters underscore the broader challenges faced by social media platforms navigating regulatory and legal landscapes in different countries.