Brazilian Judges Ratify X (Twitter) Block, Indict Elon Musk

He Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) Ratifies X Block (Twitter) introduced by Minister Alexandre de Moraes. A majority of judges unanimously approved maintaining the suspension of the social network, which began on August 30. Ministers also voted for fines of up to 8,000 euros for those accessing X via a VPN.

According to Folha de Sao PauloThree of the five magistrates who make up the STF’s first class agreed to maintain the block on X. Ministers Dino Flavio, Cristiano Zanin and Carmen Lucia supported Alexandre de Moraes’ decision to suspend the social network nationwide. The Twitter ban comes after months of fighting between de Moraes and Elon Musk over the removal of far-right content.

According to de Moraes, Elon Musk Not Only Broke Brazilian Law, He Disrespected It“A court ruling may be subject to appeal, but not to forced non-enforcement. Enforcement of court decisions is a fundamental requirement of civility and a condition for the possibility of the rule of law,” he said in the report.

The judge added that X has complied with hundreds of social media takedown orders in other countries. The most obvious example is the removal of links to a BBC documentary on Narendra Modi at the request of the Indian government. When asked about this decision, Elon Musk said that the rules for posting on social media in that country are strict, so they cannot break the law.

Elon Musk Is Not Above the Law, Brazilian Judges Warn

One of Elon Musk’s favorite speeches is about censorship. The self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist” believes that Tech companies shouldn’t be able to veto user messagesregardless of one’s point of view. The problem is that this policy is implemented for the convenience of X’s boss.

“This arbitrary selectivity broadens the reproaches against business conduct, as it distances it from the sphere of entrepreneurship and places it on the plane of pure politics and demagogy,” said Minister Dino Flavio. The STF judge criticized Elon Musk for not complying with Moraes’ request and accused him of considering himself above the law.

For his part, Elon Musk stated that X does not seek to impose US laws on other countries. and that they respect local laws. “The problem in Brazil is that Alexander told us to break Brazilian laws and that we would be punished if we told anyone,” he said.

Ministers also voted in favour maintain fines of R$50,000 (€8,000) to everyone who uses VPN to bypass blockingMusk and digital rights advocates warn that this is the first step toward authoritarianism. But the judges note that the right to free expression is “inextricably linked” to duty and responsibility.

To lift the blockade, the STF requires Elon Musk to comply with court orders, pay fines and appoint a legal representative in Brazil.