Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has issued a stern ultimatum to billionaire Elon Musk: appoint a legal representative for the social media platform X in Brazil within 24 hours, or face the suspension of the service in the country. The court’s decision, made public on Wednesday, highlights tensions between the platform and Brazilian authorities.
The ruling comes in response to X’s recent decision to shut down its operations in Brazil, citing “censorship orders” from Moraes as the primary reason. Despite closing its offices and dismissing staff, X had assured users that its services would remain operational in the country. However, the latest court order now threatens this stance.
Justice Moraes referred to Brazil’s internet regulations, which mandate compliance with local laws, including protecting user data and privacy. Companies that fail to adhere to these regulations may face severe penalties, including suspending their services. “No platform is above the law,” Moraes stated in his decision, reinforcing the importance of legal accountability.
The Brazilian Supreme Court took to X to share the decision, tagging both Musk and X’s Global Government Affairs accounts. The move is seen as a direct message to Musk, urging him to take immediate action. However, X has not responded publicly to the court’s demands, and no comment has been made regarding the potential suspension.
This development is the latest ongoing battle between X and Brazilian authorities. Earlier this month, the platform announced it would withdraw from Brazil, citing increasing pressure from Moraes, who has been vocal about the need for social media platforms to comply with national laws. The situation places Musk in a difficult position, balancing his platform’s global reach with the demands of individual governments.
As the deadline looms, it remains to be seen whether Musk will comply with the court’s order or risk losing access to one of South America’s largest markets.
Discover more from BS MEDIA KE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
