Social media platform X has announced the immediate shutdown of its operations in Brazil following a legal dispute with Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes. The decision comes after Moraes ordered X, previously known as Twitter, to block accounts spreading disinformation and hate messages, including those of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The move is seen as part of efforts to combat the spread of false information, particularly in relation to the country’s electronic voting system.
Despite the shutdown, Brazilian users will still have access to X’s platform. The decision to close the operations in Brazil was described as difficult by X owner Elon Musk, who criticized Moraes for his actions. Musk called the judge an “utter disgrace to justice” and expressed his disappointment in being forced to make this decision due to legal demands that would require X to break Brazilian and international laws.
Moraes, on the other hand, has defended his actions as necessary to protect against the spread of disinformation and aggression online. The decision to shut down X’s operations in Brazil has sparked controversy and raised questions about freedom of expression and the responsibility of social media platforms in addressing online misinformation. The legal battle between X and Moraes is ongoing, with implications for the regulation of social media platforms and the protection of free speech in Brazil.
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