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Why Brazil just hit the ‘mute’ button on X: A deep dive into the controversial ban
Brazil recently made headlines when it banned X, the website that was formerly known as Twitter, in a spectacular conflict between free expression and legal compliance.
FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, France, June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo
Brazil recently made headlines when it banned X, the website that was formerly known as Twitter, in a spectacular conflict between free expression and legal compliance. Here’s a closer look at the events that led to this significant change and what it implies for the social media giant’s future in Brazil.
The Backstory
X was given a deadline by Brazilian Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes to choose a new legal representation in Brazil, which sparked the conflict. The judge ordered the site to be suspended “immediately and completely” if this deadline wasn’t met. The action followed X’s earlier directive to suspend dozens of accounts that were allegedly propagating false material; numerous of these accounts were connected to backers of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
The Fallout
Users in Brazil reported frequently that they were unable to access the platform due to the shutdown. X had already shut down its Brazilian office, claiming that its local representative would be arrested if she disobeyed what it called “censorship.” Tensions between X and the Brazilian government increased as a result of this circumstance.
Elon Musk’s Response
The owner of X, Elon Musk, retaliated, charging that the Brazilian judge was stifling free expression for political ends. Musk and the business refused to follow the judge’s instructions, claiming that they were illegal censorship and that doing so would result in more penalties and fines.
What’s Next
Tech behemoths like Google and Apple have been given five days by Justice Moraes to take X out of their app stores and prohibit its use on iOS and Android smartphones. If users try to use VPNs to access the platform, they risk paying steep fines of up to R$50,000, or roughly £6,700.
Broader Context
Brazil has previously clashed with social media companies. Due to its noncompliance with requests for content removal, Telegram was temporarily banned last year, while Meta’s WhatsApp had previously been suspended by identical offences.
What It Means
Brazil’s sudden move mirrors persistent conflicts about free speech, social media regulation, and the influence of internet firms worldwide. The case highlights the difficulties in striking a balance between national laws and international IT policy as well as the significant ramifications of these legal disputes. The world will be intently observing X as it manages its most recent crisis to see how things turn out and what this could signify going forward for social media governance.
