Elon Musk has been issued an ultimatum by the Brazilian Supreme Court. Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the tech mogul to appoint a legal representative for his social media platform, X, in Brazil, within a 24-hour timeframe. Failure to comply could lead to the suspension of X’s operations within the country.
This order follows X’s recent announcement that it would cease operations and lay off staff in Brazil, citing “censorship orders” from Justice Moraes. However, the company assured users that its services would remain available.
The Supreme Court’s decision, made public on Wednesday evening, highlights the ongoing tension between Musk and Brazilian authorities. The document emphasizes that companies operating in Brazil must adhere to the country’s laws and protect the privacy of user information. Failure to do so could result in temporary suspension of their activities.
The court’s decision comes amidst a series of confrontations between Musk and Brazilian authorities. In April, Musk was investigated by the Supreme Court for obstructing justice in a social media dispute. Musk’s X platform has also openly defied a Brazilian court order and called for Justice Moraes’ resignation, accusing him of issuing “the most draconian demands of any country on Earth.”
Musk’s legal battles with governments in Brazil and Australia over content restrictions have attracted widespread attention. Critics argue that Musk’s selective challenges to these restrictions empower extremist voices. Musk, on the other hand, maintains that these restrictions stifle free speech.
The conflict with Brazilian authorities stems from the handling of “digital militias” linked to former President Jair Bolsonaro. The situation continues to unfold, with the next 24 hours crucial for determining the future of X in Brazil.
