Brazilian court orders suspension of X, threatens to fine citizens who use VPN

Brazil’s supreme court has suspended X after Elon Musk ignored the deadline to name a new legal representative for the social media platform in the country.

In the ruling on Friday, Alexandre de Moraes, the presiding judge, ordered the “immediate, complete and comprehensive suspension of the operation of” X in the country.

Moraes told the national communications agency to take “all necessary measures” to implement the order until X complies with all court orders and pays existing fines amounting to $3.28 million.

The judge also threatened to impose a fine of $8,900 on anyone who uses “technological subterfuges”, such as a virtual private network (VPN).

According to the judge, inciting speech has been spread through X and is harming Brazil’s democracy.

“We have a right to defend fundamental rights. Those who violate democracy, who violate fundamental human rights, whether in person or through social media, must be held accountable,” Moraes said.

The row began in April, with the judge ordering the suspension of dozens of X accounts for allegedly spreading disinformation.

Reacting to the decision, Musk accused the judge of violating free speech for political purposes.

X, via its official handle, tweeted “power to the people in Brazil and everywhere else”.