Brazil - August 2024

Social media platform X has been blocked in Brazil, following tension with the country’s Federal Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal, STF). The legal controversy began when Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered X to block certain users linked to the spread of misinformation related to the January 2023 riot, in which supporters of former President Bolsonaro stormed the presidential palace, Congress, and STF. Elon Musk, the company’s owner, refused, arguing that the orders constituted censorship. After the company decided to close its local office, Moraes ordered X to appoint a new legal representative in Brazil, as mandated by the “Internet Bill of Rights” law, an order the company did not comply with. Consequently, an STF five-judge panel upheld the platform’s ban, citing non-compliance with local regulations. Additionally, it established large fines for citizens who attempt to bypass the restriction using VPNs. Some experts argue that the STF's actions were justified and set a positive precedent for holding tech companies accountable to the laws of the countries in which they operate. Musk and other critics have accused the judiciary of suppressing free speech. The far-right opposition is preparing to request Moraes's impeachment in the Senate.

Update: On 8 October, Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the lifting of the ban on the X platform after the company paid fines that amounted to over USD 5 million, agreed to block nine profiles accused of spreading disinformation, and assigned a legal representative, complying with previous judicial orders.

Sources:  The Conversation, Agência Pública, The Guardian, Senado Brazil, International IDEA (1), International IDEA (2), Internet Steering Committee in Brazil, G1, El Pais