On Saturday, X, the social media company, announced that it would suspend its operations in Brazil, citing threats from Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The company claims de Moraes threatened to arrest their legal representative if they did not comply with his orders.
According to Breitbart News, the company is taking this step in response to what it describes as censorship orders from Justice de Moraes following several confrontations over issues such as free speech and misinformation.
X revealed that it is immediately removing all remaining staff from Brazil, although the platform will continue to be available to Brazilian users. The specifics of how the company intends to suspend operations while maintaining the service are unclear.
In a statement posted on X, the company accused de Moraes of ignoring legal procedures and instead opting to "threaten our staff in Brazil" with arrest. The company shared the legal document that triggered the dispute, which they argue constitutes censorship.
The clash between X and the Brazilian Supreme Court is not new. Earlier this year, the company found itself at odds with de Moraes over its handling of far-right accounts and the spread of misinformation. These disputes have now escalated to the point where X feels it can no longer safely operate within the country.
Elon Musk, CEO of X, also weighed in on the matter, taking to the platform to voice his disapproval. In a tweet posted on Saturday morning, Musk described de Moraes as "an utter disgrace to justice."
The tension between X and Justice de Moraes has been simmering for months. The social media company has been under scrutiny for its role in the dissemination of misinformation, particularly related to far-right groups in Brazil. Justice de Moraes has been a vocal critic of the platform, arguing that it has allowed harmful content to spread unchecked.
In April, these tensions came to a head when de Moraes ordered investigations into Musk himself. The Supreme Court justice accused the tech billionaire of allowing the spread of defamatory fake news and potentially engaging in other criminal activities.
De Moraes has been a central figure in Brazil's efforts to clamp down on what he views as threats to the country's democratic institutions.
This has included investigations into former President Jair Bolsonaro and the arrest of individuals involved in the January 8, 2023, storming of government buildings in Brasília.
De Moraes' actions have sparked significant political controversy in Brazil. The country’s political right has accused the justice of overstepping his authority and using his position to stifle free speech. Critics argue that his aggressive stance amounts to political persecution, particularly against those with far-right views.
Despite these accusations, de Moraes has remained resolute in his efforts to maintain what he describes as the integrity of Brazil's democracy. His actions have been praised by some as necessary to counteract the rising tide of extremism, while others see them as an overreach of judicial power.
The recent move by X to suspend its operations in Brazil is a clear indication of the company’s stance on these issues. By pulling its staff out of the country, the company is making a strong statement about what it perceives as an untenable situation.
