Wat-Not Staff
X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, has decided to shut down its operations in Brazil following claims of censorship and threats from Brazilian Judge Alexandre de Moraes. The platform remains accessible in Brazil, but its local operations have ceased.
X Shuts Down In Brazil
In a dramatic move, social media platform X has announced it will close its operations in Brazil “effective immediately.” The decision comes in response to what X describes as “censorship orders” imposed by Judge Alexandre de Moraes.
The platform, formerly known as Twitter and owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has been involved in a legal dispute with Brazilian authorities over content regulation.
Legal Dispute and Allegations
The conflict began when Judge Moraes issued orders requiring X to take down certain content from its platform.
X claims that Moraes threatened one of its legal representatives, Rachel Nova Conceicao, with arrest and a daily fine of 20,000 reais (approximately $3,653) if the company did not comply.
X has shared a document allegedly signed by Moraes detailing these threats. The Brazilian Supreme Court, where Moraes holds a seat, has neither confirmed nor denied the document’s authenticity, and declined to comment on the issue.
Elon Musk has publicly criticized Moraes, calling the judge’s actions “an utter disgrace to justice.” Musk argues that the demands for censorship and the handover of private information are unconstitutional.
Earlier this year, Moraes ordered X to block certain accounts while investigating “digital militias” linked to fake news and hate speech.
Musk’s decision to reactivate blocked accounts led to further tensions, prompting Moraes to launch an inquiry into the platform.
Impact and Response
Despite closing its local operations, X stated that its service will remain accessible to users in Brazil.
The decision to shut down operations was made to protect the safety of X’s staff amid ongoing legal threats.
The closure marks a significant escalation in the conflict between the social media giant and Brazilian authorities.
The situation highlights broader concerns about the balance between freedom of expression and regulatory oversight in digital platforms.
As the legal battle continues, the implications for both X and the broader tech industry remain uncertain.
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