The social network X, formerly known as Twitter, announced the immediate closure of its offices in Brazil. The measure was taken in response to what Elon Musk, the platform's owner, described as "censorship orders" imposed by the judge of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court, Alexandre de Moraes. Musk confirmed that, although the company's physical operations will cease, the platform will continue to be available to Brazilian users.
The conflict between X and Judge De Moraes originated due to the social network's refusal to comply with court orders. These orders reportedly required the removal of specific profiles, particularly those associated with the Brazilian far right. Since April, X has repeatedly disobeyed these instructions, leading the judge to increase pressure on the company and its legal representative in the country.
On Friday, De Moraes issued a new ruling, warning X about the consequences of not complying with his orders. The daily fine for non-compliance was raised to 20,000 reais (US$3,600), and the judge hinted at the possibility of arrest for the company's legal representative in Brazil. This tightening of sanctions led Musk to close the platform's offices in the country, arguing that the judge's actions were incompatible with a democratic government.
Musk has been highly critical of De Moraes, accusing him of violating the Brazilian Constitution by imposing censorship and demanding access to private information. In his profile on X, Musk stated that the decision to close the offices was difficult but necessary to avoid subjecting himself to what he considers secret and illegal censorship. However, the closure of the Brazil office will complicate the application of future judicial sanctions.
In April, a Brazilian court launched an investigation against Musk for alleged obstruction of justice related to the reactivation of far-right accounts previously blocked by the government. These accounts include controversial figures such as Allan dos Santos and YouTuber Bruno Aiub, known as Monark, who have made controversial statements, such as suggesting the legalization of the Nazi party in Brazil.
According to information published by Folha de São Paulo, X's non-compliance with judicial decisions represents a significant challenge for the Brazilian justice system, especially in a sensitive electoral context. Experts interviewed by the media warn that X's refusal to cooperate could destabilize the country's democratic process. For its part, Wired noted that Musk's attitude reflects a change in the company's strategy since its acquisition. The social network has taken a more active role in content curation, favoring certain political actors while censoring criticism. According to experts cited, this stance could have a considerable impact on the Brazilian elections by skewing the visibility of certain political forces.
The closure of X's offices in Brazil marks a tense moment in the relationship between the platform and the country's judicial system. Disinformation and political influence on social networks are under intense scrutiny. With local representation, future legal actions against X will be easier to execute, which could lead to a scenario of more significant uncertainty and conflict in the Brazilian digital sphere.
