Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr has expressed strong criticism towards the Brazilian government’s actions against Elon Musk’s social media platform X and Starlink. In a letter to the President of Brazil’s telecom regulator, Anatel, Carr alleges that the ban on X and the freezing of Starlink assets represent a concerning crackdown on free speech and violate Brazilian law.
Carr highlights the potential ramifications of these actions, stating that they are already impacting the business climate in Brazil and undermining confidence in the country’s regulated markets. He asserts that U.S. business leaders are now questioning whether Brazil is becoming an unfavorable environment for investments due to these actions.
The FCC Commissioner particularly condemns the decision of Brazil’s top court judge, Alexandre de Moraes, to freeze Starlink’s assets due to disagreements with X’s operations. Carr emphasizes that Starlink is a separate company with distinct shareholders and argues that this decision is arbitrary and capricious.
The ban on X stems from the platform’s failure to comply with legal requirements, including paying fines imposed for disobeying judicial orders and appointing a legal representative in Brazil. While Starlink initially resisted a court order to block access to X in the country, it ultimately complied. Consequently, the Brazilian government froze Starlink’s bank accounts, hindering its financial transactions and its ability to pay X’s fines.
Starlink has declared its intention to pursue legal avenues to challenge the asset freeze and maintain uninterrupted internet services for its users. Musk, on the other hand, has threatened to retaliate by seizing Brazilian assets but has not provided specifics on how he intends to do so.
Carr’s strong stance against Brazil’s actions underscores the international concern over the implications of these measures on freedom of speech and the business environment in the country.
