São Paulo: Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes has issued a directive demanding that X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, appoint a new legal representative in Brazil within the next 24 hours. Failure to comply with the order could lead to the suspension of the platform’s operations in the country.
The order, made public on Wednesday, comes amid ongoing tensions between X and the Brazilian judiciary. Earlier this month, Musk took the drastic step of shutting down X’s business operations in Brazil, although user access to the site remained unaffected. Musk’s move followed accusations that Judge de Moraes had threatened the company’s previous legal representative.
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Judge de Moraes, a prominent figure in Brazil’s fight against disinformation, has clashed with Musk and X on multiple fronts. Moraes’s crackdown has included the suspension of several Twitter accounts suspected of spreading misinformation, including those linked to supporters of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro and his allies had attempted to undermine the 2022 presidential election results, which he ultimately lost.
Musk defended his decision to close X’s offices in Brazil, asserting that complying with de Moraes’s orders would have been indefensible. In April, X acknowledged that some users of suspended accounts had found ways to bypass the platform’s restrictions.
Additionally, Musk is currently under investigation in Brazil over allegations that public funds were used to support disinformation campaigns benefiting Bolsonaro and his associates. The situation continues to develop as X navigates its legal and operational challenges in the region.
Key Points:
- Judge’s Directive:
- Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes has ordered X to appoint a new legal representative in Brazil within 24 hours.
- Consequences for Non-Compliance:
- Failure to meet the deadline could result in the suspension of X’s activities in Brazil.
- Background of Tensions:
- Elon Musk previously shut down X’s business operations in Brazil, though user access remained unaffected, following accusations of threats made by the judge to X’s former legal representative.
- Judge de Moraes’s Role:
- De Moraes is known for his efforts against disinformation and has clashed with Musk over X’s compliance with Brazilian regulations.
- Previous Actions:
- The judge has previously suspended accounts linked to disinformation, including those of Bolsonaro supporters who contested the 2022 presidential election results.
- Musk’s Defense:
- Musk justified the shutdown of X’s offices, stating that compliance with de Moraes’s orders would have been untenable.
- Ongoing Investigations:
- Musk is under investigation in Brazil for alleged misuse of public funds in disinformation campaigns supporting Bolsonaro.
