Brazil orders suspension of Elon Musk’s X after freezing Starlink bank accounts

 

Brazil instructs halt of Elon Musk's X following the arrest of Starlink financial assets. 

Following the freezing of Starlink bank accounts in Brazil, a high-ranking judge from the Supreme Court has mandated the cessation of X, the social media powerhouse owned by Elon Musk, in the nation due to their refusal to identify a lawful delegate. The action will intensify the conflict between the two parties who have argued over freedom of expression, extremist accounts on X and the spreading of false information on X. 

The judge stated that X will stay restricted until all directives are followed – including settling over $3 million in penalties and appointing a lawyer. 

The magistrate additionally stated that individuals utilizing VPNs to reach X, previously known as Twitter, would face daily penalties of 50,000 reais ($8,900 or ₹7,46,621). 

On the date of Wednesday, August 28, Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Court issued a caution to Elon Musk that X may face being restricted if he does not appoint a lawyer. The stage will remain obstructed until Elon Musk obeys every directive. 

The magistrate, Alexandre de Moraes, stated that X has been fostering "a culture of complete immunity and disorder in Brazilian social media platforms, even during the 2024 municipal elections"...."Elon Musk displayed his complete disregard for Brazilian authority and, specifically, for the legal system, positioning himself as a legitimate transnational entity and exempt from the regulations of any individual nation." 

Prior to X being banned in Brazil, the big social media platform announced that it anticipates X getting banned. "When we tried to protect ourselves in the courtroom, Judge de Moraes intimidated our Brazilian legal counsel with the possibility of being jailed." even subsequent to her resignation, he immobilized each of her bank accounts. Our objections to his clearly unlawful behaviors were either rejected or overlooked. Judge de Moraes' fellow justices on the Supreme Court lack the capability or willingness to confront him, according to the company's statement. 

X has had a confrontation with de Moraes because it is hesitant to follow directives to ban individuals. 

Elon Musk angrily criticized the Brazilian judge shortly after the decision to halt X in the country was made public. "Freedom of expression is fundamental to democratic societies and an unappointed pseudo-judge in Brazil is undermining it for political motivations," remarked Elon Musk in a statement on X, further noting, "The authoritarian government in Brazil is so fearful of the public discovering the truth that they will financially ruin anyone who dares to speak out." 

On Friday, August 30, the dispute has also resulted in the locking of satellite internet provider Starlink's bank accounts in Brazil. Starlink is a division of the rocket firm led by Musk, known as SpaceX.