Elon Musk's X Banned in Brazil Amid Controversy with Supreme Court Judge
A significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Elon Musk and Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes has resulted in the complete ban of Musk's social media platform, X, in Brazil. This decision, announced on Friday, orders the immediate suspension of the platform's operations within the country, with Moraes instructing the national communications agency to enforce the ban within 24 hours.The controversy began when Moraes targeted several accounts on X linked to supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who had attempted to undermine the integrity of Brazil's 2022 election results. The judge's actions are part of a broader investigation into whether Bolsonaro conspired to thwart the inauguration of current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.In April, Moraes initiated an investigation into Musk, accusing him of reinstating banned accounts. The situation escalated further when Musk's platform closed its Brazilian offices, citing what it termed "censorship" by the judge. Moraes has threatened fines of 50,000 reais (approximately $8,900) for anyone attempting to bypass the ban using VPNs or other means.Moraes emphasized the importance of accountability for those who undermine democracy, stating, "We have a right to defend fundamental rights." The suspension will remain in effect until X complies with various court orders, including the payment of fines totaling 18.5 million reais ($3.28 million) for previous non-compliance.In response to the ban, Musk labeled Moraes an "evil dictator cosplaying as a judge," accusing him of undermining democracy in Brazil for political gain. He argued that free speech is essential to democracy and criticized the judge's actions as politically motivated.With over 22 million users in Brazil, the ban on X raises significant questions about the future of the platform in the country and its implications for free speech and political discourse.
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