In a unanimous decision, Brazil’s Supreme Court has confirmed the suspension of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, within the country. The ruling, finalized on September 2, upholds an earlier order by Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued on August 30, mandating the suspension of the platform’s operations.
The suspension was triggered by Elon Musk’s refusal to appoint a legal representative for X in Brazil, a requirement stipulated by Brazilian law. Musk, who acquired X in October 2022, had publicly criticized Justice Moraes on the platform, calling him “evil” and a “dictator” for what Musk described as “illegal political censorship.” Despite these accusations, the panel of five Supreme Court justices unanimously supported Moraes’ decision, affirming that the suspension would continue indefinitely.
This legal clash unfolds amid broader investigations led by Justice Moraes into X’s alleged role in disseminating misinformation connected to former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Since Musk’s takeover, concerns have escalated about the platform’s handling of harmful content, including reports of pro-Nazi material appearing alongside advertisements. These issues have prompted several companies to withdraw their advertising from X, further complicating Musk’s management of the platform.
According to the court’s ruling, X will remain suspended in Brazil until the platform addresses outstanding fines, which had exceeded $3 million by August 30. The decision also targets Brazilian users attempting to circumvent the suspension by using virtual private networks (VPNs). Those caught accessing X via VPNs could face additional penalties, including fines of up to 50,000 reais (approximately $8,900).
The suspension has sparked widespread debate among Brazilian users and political figures, with many questioning the legitimacy of the ban. The uncertainty has led some users to explore alternative social media platforms, with Bluesky reporting a surge in activity from Brazil on August 30 as users seek new digital spaces.
In response, Musk and his companies have condemned Justice Moraes’ actions as “illegal,” claiming that the court’s decisions were made without due process. Over the U.S. Labor Day weekend, Musk intensified his criticism, even calling for Justice Moraes’ impeachment. He also suggested that the U.S. should consider halting foreign aid to Brazil, warning of potential “reciprocal confiscation of assets” from those supporting the Brazilian government, although he provided no evidence to support these claims.
The suspension of X in Brazil presents a serious challenge for the platform, particularly as Musk contends with declining advertising revenues. Brazil, with its approximately 40 million X users, represents a significant portion of the platform’s global user base. This ongoing dispute between Musk and Brazilian authorities underscores the difficulties of managing a global social media platform while adhering to varying national laws and regulations.
