X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, announced on Saturday that it will cease operations in Brazil “effective immediately.” This drastic decision comes in response to what the company describes as “censorship orders” issued by Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes. The platform, now owned by billionaire Elon Musk, claims that Moraes issued secret threats against one of its legal representatives, threatening arrest if X did not comply with his orders to remove specific content.
According to X, the judge’s directives included a daily fine of 20,000 reais (approximately $3,653) and an arrest warrant against X’s representative, Rachel Nova Conceicao, if the company failed to fully adhere to the content removal orders. X posted images of a document they claim was signed by Moraes, outlining these punitive measures.
The Brazilian Supreme Court, where Moraes serves, has not commented on the matter or confirmed the authenticity of the document. Despite the operational closure, X’s service remains accessible to users in Brazil, as per the company’s statement.
The dispute began earlier this year when Moraes ordered X to block certain accounts as part of an investigation into “digital militias” accused of spreading misinformation and hateful messages during the tenure of former President Jair Bolsonaro. This inquiry was sparked after Musk announced plans to reactivate accounts that Moraes had previously ordered blocked. Musk has criticized Moraes’ actions, calling them unconstitutional.
Following Musk’s public challenges, X initially indicated a reversal and promised compliance with Brazilian legal requirements. However, by April, X’s legal team informed the Supreme Court of “operational faults” that allowed blocked users to remain active on the platform. Moraes had demanded an explanation for these alleged compliance issues.
In response to the ongoing legal pressures and the judge’s alleged demands for “secret censorship” and the handover of private information, Musk publicly denounced Moraes as an “utter disgrace to justice” and stated that X could not agree to the judge’s conditions.
The closure of X’s operations in Brazil marks a significant shift for the platform, which has had to navigate complex legal and political challenges in the country. The company’s decision underscores the ongoing tension between global tech companies and national regulatory authorities over issues of free speech and content moderation.
