Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes has taken drastic action against billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink, ordering the blockage of the satellite broadband unit’s financial accounts in Brazil. This move comes in response to a feud between Musk and de Moraes, with the judge threatening to suspend Musk’s social media platform X in the country due to the lack of legal representation.
Starlink confirmed the order from de Moraes, vowing to address the issue legally. Musk, in turn, has denounced de Moraes as a criminal for his actions, accusing him of censorship. De Moraes has previously ordered Musk to name a legal representative for X in Brazil to avoid suspension.
The ongoing conflict stems from de Moraes’ crackdown on misinformation and disinformation in Brazil, which has included the suspension of over 100 X accounts. Musk’s refusal to comply with court orders to block certain accounts has only escalated tensions.
In response to de Moraes’ actions, X announced plans to shut down operations in Brazil, citing censorship orders and threats to legal representatives. De Moraes has defended his actions under Brazilian law regulating internet issues, warning that companies not in compliance could face temporary suspension.
The feud highlights the clash between free speech and regulation in Brazil, with Musk and de Moraes at odds over the limits of censorship. As the conflict escalates, the fate of X in Brazil hangs in the balance, with potential repercussions for free expression and social media regulation in the country.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
