Elon Musk is on the warpath against a Brazilian judge for blocking X accounts (Twitter)

An unexpected conflict between Elon Musk and Brazilian justice was revealed over the weekend. On Saturday, X Global Government Account (Twitter). advertising that the social network was “forced to block some popular accounts in Brazil” without knowledge of the reasons and without permission to report which profiles were affected. The case caused an immediate stir and prompted the tycoon to intervene.

Ignoring the court order, Musk announced on the same day that the restriction has been lifted. But the story didn’t end there. It also encouraged users in Brazil use a VPN continue access to X (Twitter) in the event that a South American country decides to block the platform due to non-compliance.

“We do not know the reasons why these lockdown orders were issued. We do not know which posts allegedly violate the law. We are prohibited from saying which court or judge issued this order or on what basis. We are not allowed to say which accounts are affected. “They are threatening us with daily fines if we do not comply,” it was initially reported. On X (Twitter), they stated that these orders constitute a violation of both the Marco Civil da Internet and the Brazilian Federal Constitution.

After Elon Musk got involved in the dispute, it became known that the decision was dictated by him. Alexander de Moraes, one of the Ministers of the Supreme Federal Court of Brazil (STF). The businessman expressed an opinion. in harsh terms against the said official: “Soon

Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X (Twitter), also spoke about blocking accounts in Brazil. “Freedom of expression is more important now than ever,” he wrote on Saturday after learning of the court ruling. Meanwhile this Monday wrote: “Freedom of expression is everyone’s right.”

Brazil will investigate Elon Musk over dispute with X (Twitter)

STF indicates that the blocking of X (Twitter) accounts in Brazil is part of the investigation digital militias. According to the Brazilian justice system, the blocked profiles belong to “criminals spreading false news” and are directly linked to the attack on the Plaza de los Tres Poderes in Brasilia on January 8, 2023.

“[…] It is unacceptable that any representative of social networking providers and private messaging services, especially social networks, especially in a very serious attack on the democratic rule of law and an attempt to destroy the Supreme Federal Court, the National Congress and the Palacio do Planalto, that is, the Brazilian Republic itself. Mainly because after the coup attempt on January 8, 2023, it was discussed absolutely publicly and transparently. […] the need to form a working group to present proposals for self-regulation and legislative regulation in order to avoid, in constitutional and legal terms, the continuation of illegal actions and constantly repeated actions on various platforms, through incitement to crime and [la publicación de] discriminatory content, incitement to hatred, speech attacking the judiciary and behavior contrary to the fairness of elections and the democratic rule of law.”

Minister Alexandre de Moraes.

After Elon Musk’s comments, Moraes’ minister did not sit idly by. This Monday, the TSF judge included the CEO of X (Twitter) in his investigation into the activities of digital militias in Brazil. In addition, a separate process was initiated to investigate the behavior of the oligarch and the possible commission of crimes obstruction of justice, criminal organization and incitement to crime.

The judge indicated that if X (Twitter) reactivates profiles blocked by the TSF or the Supreme Electoral Court of Brazil, it will have to face fine of R$100,000 – about 18,300 euros – for each of them. We’ll see how this soap opera continues, but everything suggests that it will continue to be something to talk about.