Brazil’s top court issued a warning to the social media platform X, threatening to suspend access if the app failed to comply with a recent court order.
This legal battle between X and Brazil’s government has raised questions about free speech and the power of technology giants.
The Court's Order
The order from Justice Alexandre de Moraes is the latest development in an ongoing feud with X, formerly known as Twitter. The two clashed earlier this year over accusations of non-compliance surrounding free speech and accounts alleged to spread misinformation on the platform.
In response, X announced on August 17 that it will be shutting down its operations in Brazil and firing all staff, but that the service would remain accessible to users in the country.
Now, the court has given Elon Musk a 24-hour ultimatum to name a legal representative for X in Brazil or face a countrywide ban.
The court posted its order on X on Wednesday night, suggesting that Musk should respond by 8 PM local time on Thursday.
Implications for X and Brazilian users
If X is forced to suspend its operations in Brazil, this would have significant consequences. Brazil has a huge market that's estimated to have 40 million monthly users. Losing this market could have a massive impact on X’s revenue and user base.
The suspension will also affect the millions of users who use the platform for communication, information, and social interactions – not just making posts. Users would be forced to find alternative platforms and face significant disruptions in their online activities.
What did Elon Musk Say?
In response to Brazil’s court order shared on the platform, X CEO Elon Musk, posted an AI-generated image of Judge Alexandre behind bars, accompanied by the text: “One day, this picture of you in prison will be real. Mark my words.”
To say Musk was not happy would be an understatement, and his public response fueled the ongoing debate and speculation surrounding the potential consequences for X in Brazil.
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