Social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, has announced that it will be shutting down its operations in Brazil following a legal dispute with Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes over the platform’s responsibility to combat disinformation. The shutdown is effective immediately, but Brazilian users will still have access to X.
Moraes had previously ordered X to block accounts spreading false news and hate messages, particularly those of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. This decision came after Bolsonaro made baseless claims about the integrity of Brazil’s electronic voting system following his defeat in the 2022 election.
According to Musk, the billionaire owner of X, Moraes threatened one of the company’s legal representatives with arrest if they did not comply with legal orders to remove certain content from the platform. This led to X’s decision to close its operations in Brazil.
Musk criticized Moraes, calling him “an utter disgrace to justice,” and explained that the company’s decision to shut down in Brazil was difficult but necessary to maintain its integrity. Despite the challenges faced by X in Brazil, Musk reaffirmed that the social media platform would comply with legal rulings.
The situation highlights the ongoing battle between social media platforms and governments over the spread of disinformation online. Moraes has emphasized the importance of combating false information and hate speech, while Musk has expressed concerns over the restriction of freedom of expression. Ultimately, X’s decision to close its operations in Brazil reflects the complex relationship between tech companies and regulatory authorities in the digital age.
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