X, formerly Twitter, has been banned in Brazil for not meeting a Supreme Court deadline to appoint a new legal representative. Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the “immediate and complete suspension” of the platform until it complies with court orders and pays fines. The conflict began in April when Moraes ordered the suspension of X accounts spreading disinformation. X owner Elon Musk criticized the decision, claiming it undermines free speech.
The ban affects a significant portion of Brazil’s 200 million population, with users reporting loss of access. X had previously closed its Brazilian office, citing threats to its representative and alleging censorship and illegal demands.
Moraes has mandated Apple and Google to remove X from their app stores and block it on iOS and Android. Users attempting to access X via VPNs could face fines. The platform’s refusal to comply with these demands led to the ban, which will remain until X designates a new legal representative and pays fines.
Musk’s Starlink has also faced issues, with its Brazilian bank accounts frozen following a Supreme Court order. Moraes, known for his strict social media regulations, is also investigating former President Jair Bolsonaro and his supporters for their role in a January 8 attempted coup.
