Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the financial accounts of Elon Musk’s Starlink to be blocked in response to an ongoing feud between Musk’s social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, and the Brazilian government. De Moraes’ decision comes as a result of the lack of legal representation for X in Brazil, leading to the sanction of Starlink, the satellite broadband unit of Musk’s SpaceX. Musk has criticized de Moraes’ actions, labeling him as a criminal and denouncing the move as censorship.
Starlink confirmed that it had received the order to block financial transactions in Brazil and stated that it would address the issue legally. De Moraes’ order was issued secretly and without due process according to Starlink, who questioned whether the judge has the authority to order the blocking of certain accounts that are accused of spreading lies and distortions. The ongoing dispute between Musk and de Moraes revolves around the issue of free speech and censorship in Brazil.
In response to earlier censorship orders from de Moraes, X announced its closure and the dismissal of staff in Brazil while continuing to provide service to Brazilian users. The legal battle between Musk’s social media platform and the Brazilian government escalated when de Moraes ordered Musk to appoint a legal representative for X in Brazil within 24 hours or face suspension in the country. De Moraes cited Brazilian laws regulating internet issues that allow for the temporary suspension of activities for companies that do not comply with legal orders or respect the confidentiality of private information.
The ongoing feud between Musk and de Moraes has been characterized by a crackdown on misinformation and disinformation in Brazil, with de Moraes ordering the suspension of over 100 X accounts in recent years. Some of these accounts belong to supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been accused of spreading unsubstantiated claims about electoral fraud in the country. Musk, a self-described advocate for free speech, has accused de Moraes of violating Brazil’s constitution and stifling free speech by targeting X accounts.
The conflict between Musk and de Moraes highlights the tension between freedom of speech and government regulation of social media platforms in Brazil. De Moraes’ actions against X and Starlink have been met with criticism from Musk, who views the judge’s orders as acts of censorship. The legal battle has implications for the future of internet regulation in Brazil and the balance between protecting public discourse and preventing the spread of misinformation. As the feud continues, it remains to be seen how the Brazilian government and Musk will resolve their differences and whether X will be able to continue operating in the country.
