X, formerly known as Twitter, is facing a potential ban in Brazil after failing to meet a deadline to name a new legal representative for the company. The social media network closed its office in the country earlier this month, citing threats of arrest against its previous representative if she did not comply with what it described as “censorship” orders.
The dispute began in April when Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the suspension of dozens of X accounts for allegedly spreading disinformation. X owner Elon Musk has threatened to reactivate the accounts and has publicly criticized Judge Moraes, calling him a “tyrant” and a “dictator”.
Judge Moraes gave X a deadline to name a new legal representative, warning of a potential suspension if they failed to do so. Despite the deadline passing, X made it clear that they had not complied with the order, stating that they refuse to break Brazil’s laws at the demand of the judge.
The company emphasized that they would not comply “in secret with illegal orders” and promised to publish the judge’s demands in the interests of transparency. Judge Moraes had ordered the blocking of X accounts accused of spreading disinformation, particularly those supporting former president Jair Bolsonaro, and held the company’s legal representatives liable for any reactivation of these accounts.
This clash between X and Brazilian authorities highlights the ongoing tension between social media platforms and government regulation, as well as the broader political divisions within the country. The potential ban on X in Brazil could have significant implications for freedom of speech and online expression in the country.
