X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, has announced the immediate cessation of its business operations in Brazil. Despite this closure, the platform will continue to be accessible to users in the country.
The decision follows escalating tensions between X and Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has been involved in an investigation related to election disinformation and so-called “digital militias.”
Why Did X Close in Brazil?
The conflict centers around Justice de Moraes’ efforts to block certain accounts on X, which he views as part of a broader investigation into misinformation surrounding the Brazilian elections.
According to X, de Moraes has threatened the company’s legal representative in Brazil with arrest if it does not comply with his demands to remove specific content from the platform. In response, X decided to end its local operations to ensure the safety of its staff.
In a public statement from its global government affairs account, X expressed that this decision was driven by concerns for the well-being of its employees. The company emphasized that while the business operations are ending, the X service itself will remain available to users in Brazil. X’s statement highlighted the seriousness of the situation, noting that de Moraes issued a “secret order” to compel compliance with his censorship directives.
The situation has been further complicated by a series of events earlier this year, where Elon Musk, the owner of X, publicly stated his intent to defy court orders issued by de Moraes. Musk’s defiance was specifically in relation to orders that mandated the blocking of certain accounts on the platform. This defiance led to Justice de Moraes opening a criminal inquiry into Musk, although the company later reversed its stance and agreed to block the accounts in question.
How Did U.S. Get Involved?
In April, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee released an interim staff report accusing the Brazilian government of attempting to force X and other social media platforms to censor over 300 accounts. These accounts reportedly included those of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, a federal senator, and a journalist.
X has also revealed some details regarding the accounts targeted by de Moraes. The accounts include those of a pastor, a current Parliamentarian, and the wife of a former Parliamentarian.
The platform’s involvement in this legal battle has sparked significant controversy, particularly among supporters of Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro, who lost the 2022 election and has since been barred from seeking office for the next eight years by Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court, has been a central figure in the discussions surrounding election misinformation.
Musk, who met with Bolsonaro during a visit to Brazil in 2022, has voiced his criticism of Justice de Moraes, suggesting that he should resign or face impeachment. This sentiment has been echoed by Bolsonaro’s supporters, who have also called for the justice’s impeachment.
In its latest statement, X reiterated that its Brazilian staff bear no responsibility or control over content decisions on the platform. The company framed the ongoing situation as a critical choice for the Brazilian public, stating that they must decide between democracy and the actions of Justice de Moraes.
Featured Image courtesy of CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
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