Breaking: Brazil has officially declared that it will block Social Media Platform X (formerly Twitter) from the nation over non-compliance with local laws. The officials stated that it is due to Elon Musk‘s refusal to appoint a company representative in the country.
Reportedly, if anyone is found using a VPN to access the social network, they will be fined up to $8,874 per day. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the suspension because the platform failed to appoint a legal representative in the country.
BREAKING: Brazil’s Supreme Court declares that anyone using a VPN to access 𝕏 after its suspension is subject to fines of up to ~$8,800.
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) August 30, 2024
The decision to ban social networks follows a months-long dispute between X’s owner, Elon Musk, and Justice de Moraes over disinformation and free speech. Musk refused to block accounts responsible for spreading fake news, hate speech, and attacks on the rule of law, leading to the court’s decision. Users attempting to access X via VPN will face fines of up to $8,874 daily. The platform’s closure may impact its advertising revenue and 40 million Brazilian users.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva supported the court’s decision, emphasising the need for compliance with Brazilian laws.
Musk responded by calling Justice de Moraes an “evil dictator” for shutting down the platform.
𝕏 is the most used news source in Brazil. It is what the people want.
Now, the tyrant de Voldemort is crushing the people’s right to free speech. https://t.co/gR8aq3JzzU
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 31, 2024
The move has sparked debate, with some praising the court’s action and others criticising it as an attack on free speech. Media experts note that Musk has become a polarising figure, often siding with right-wing governments.
Additionally, X’s satellite internet company, Starlink, is also facing a separate dispute with the Brazilian Supreme Court over unpaid fines. The court froze Starlink’s bank accounts, which the company seeks to reverse.
The situation highlights the complexities of social media regulation and the ongoing tensions between tech companies and governments worldwide.
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