Brazil's Supreme Court vote leads to suspension of X platform
2 Min Read
In mid-August, X published a letter from Judge Moraes that contained orders requiring the platform to block certain accounts and provide user account information.
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The Supreme Court headquarters stands in Brasilia, Brazil, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File)
Brazilian media reported on Monday that a majority of justices on Brazil's Supreme Federal Court have expressed support for suspending the X social network within the country.
According to the G1 news website, the first chamber of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court, which consists of five members, has already reached a majority in favor of upholding the suspension.
This decision comes after votes from judges Alexandre de Moraes, Flavio Dino, and Cristiano Zanin. The remaining two judges, Carmen Lucia and Luiz Fux, have not yet cast their votes.
In mid-August, X published a letter from Judge Moraes that contained orders requiring the platform to block certain accounts and provide user account information.
The move is part of broader efforts by the Brazilian judiciary to regulate social media platforms and combat misinformation.
Soon, we expect Judge Alexandre de Moraes will order X to be shut down in Brazil – simply because we would not comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents. These enemies include a duly elected Senator and a 16-year-old girl, among others.
— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) August 29, 2024
When we attempted…
In late August, Judge Moraes ordered the suspension of the X social network (formerly Twitter) in Brazil after Elon Musk failed to appoint a legal representative in the country.
De Moraes had previously warned Musk that the platform could be blocked if this requirement wasn't met.
Following Musk's non-compliance, the judge mandated that internet service providers and app stores block access to X, with the suspension remaining in effect until the company complies with the legal order.
The court also imposed fines for those attempting to access X using virtual private networks (VPNs).
Read more: Musk vows to expose Brazilian Supreme Court judge after X suspension
