BRASILIA (Reuters)

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has ordered telecommunications regulator Anatel to shut down Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, due to noncompliance with legal requirements.

What is the Conflict About?

Justice Alexandre de Moraes has been in a public feud with Musk for months. X has failed to comply with legal orders to block accounts accused of spreading “fake news” and hate. X claims Moraes threatened to arrest a legal representative unless the platform complied. Despite shutting its Brazil offices, X’s service remained accessible.

When Will That Take Effect?

Moraes ordered the immediate shutdown of X in Brazil. The process may take hours to days as Anatel coordinates with telecom carriers to terminate X’s traffic. Financial assets of Musk’s Starlink were frozen due to unpaid fines totaling 18.5 million reais ($3.28 million) for ignoring judicial orders. In response to reports about blocked Starlink accounts, Musk called Moraes a “dictator” on X.

How Will Platform X Be Shut Down?

Brazilian internet laws require social media to have a local representative. The judge emphasized that companies violating Brazilian law could temporarily suspend their activities. Anatel has begun notifying carriers to stop X services. Users may bypass the ban using VPNs, but the judge threatened fines of up to 50,000 reais ($8,909) for those who evade the blockade.

What is the Possible Impact?

X is a significant communication tool in Brazil, especially for politicians, ahead of local municipal elections in October to choose mayors across 5,568 cities.

Right-Left Divide on the Issue?

Reactions to the dispute are polarized. Some users support Musk’s critique of the judge, arguing it threatens freedom of speech, while others argue that Musk should comply with Brazilian laws. Supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro view Musk as an ally against Moraes’ investigations into alleged digital militias that spread misinformation during Bolsonaro’s administration from 2019 to 2022.

($1 = 5.6121 reais)