Brazil bans social network X due to Elon Musk's refusal to comply with court order

Brazil bans the X platform due to Elon Musk's disregard of a court order.

Here's What We Know

Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered to block the social network X because its owner failed to appoint a legal representative and did not comply with an order to close accounts that the court considers dangerous to the democratic process.

Telecommunications companies and tech giants such as Apple and Google have been given five days to remove the X app from their stores. Brazilian internet providers have 24 hours to comply with the order.

Violation of the ban, including accessing X via VPN, is punishable by a fine of approximately $8,900 per day.

The judge also froze the bank accounts of SpaceX's Starlink internet provider to put pressure on Musk. This decision follows a long-running conflict that began after the 2022 Brazilian presidential election, when numerous attempts to spread false information were discovered.

Musk closed the Brazilian office of X, and his team promised to publish "Judge de Moraes' illegal demands" and legal documents related to the court's decision.

Source: The New York Times