Sao Paolo: On Saturday, media platform X announced it is closing its operations in Brazil “effective immediately” in response to what it describes as “censorship orders” from Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes. The platform, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, claims Moraes issued a secret threat of arrest against one of its legal representatives if the company did not comply with orders to remove certain content.
X published images of a document allegedly signed by Moraes, stating that a daily fine of 20,000 reais ($3,653) and an arrest warrant would be imposed against X representative Rachel Nova Conceicao if the platform failed to adhere to Moraes’ directives. “To protect the safety of our staff, we have made the decision to close our operation in Brazil, effective immediately,” X stated.
Brazil’s Supreme Court, where Moraes serves, declined to comment or verify the document’s authenticity when approached by Reuters. X has stated that its service will remain accessible to Brazilian users.
Earlier this year, Moraes ordered X to block certain accounts as part of an investigation into “digital militias” accused of spreading fake news and hate speech during the administration of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Moraes also opened an inquiry into Musk after the billionaire announced plans to reactivate accounts previously blocked by the judge, which Musk criticized as “unconstitutional”.
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Following Musk’s statements, X reversed its position and told Brazil’s Supreme Court that it would comply with the legal rulings. In April, X’s lawyers informed the court of “operational faults” that allowed blocked users to remain active, prompting Moraes to seek an explanation for the non-compliance.
Musk, in posts on X, condemned Moraes as an “utter disgrace to justice” and criticized the judge’s “secret censorship and private information handover demands.”
