In a recent decision by a panel of five Brazilian Supreme Court justices, a ban on X, the service formerly known as Twitter, was upheld. This ban was issued by Justice Alexandre de Moraes in response to X owner Elon Musk’s failure to comply with court orders to block certain accounts and to identify a legal representative in the country.
Three out of the five justices, namely Cristiano Zanin, Flávio Dino, and Cármen Lúcia, fully supported de Moraes’ ruling. The remaining justice, Luiz Fux, expressed reservations about the imposition of fines on individuals using VPNs to circumvent the ban. Fux believed that only individuals posting criminal messages like those promoting Nazism or fascism should be fined.
Following the ban, competing platforms have reported a surge in the number of new accounts created by Brazilian users. News organization Poder360 has shifted the management of its X account to Portugal to comply with the court’s decision. However, Starlink, the satellite-based internet service operated by SpaceX and partially owned by Musk, has refused to adhere to the ban until its assets are unfrozen by the court. Despite the ban, X remains accessible via the service.
The court has taken action against Starlink by blocking its Brazilian transactions and seeking to collect $3 million in unpaid fines by X. This move demonstrates the court’s determination to enforce the ban and hold accountable those who do not comply with its orders.
The Brazilian Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the ban on X, formerly known as Twitter, reflects the court’s commitment to ensuring compliance with its orders. The ban has led to a shift in how platforms and services operate in Brazil, with some opting to comply with the ban while others choose to challenge it. As tensions escalate between the court, X, and Starlink, the future of internet freedom in Brazil remains uncertain.