SAO PAULO: Media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, announced on Saturday that it will cease operations in Brazil “effective immediately” in response to what it describes as “censorship orders” from Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The move follows a contentious dispute between X and Brazilian authorities over content moderation and free speech.
According to X, the decision to close operations in Brazil was prompted by allegations that Moraes had secretly threatened one of its legal representatives with arrest unless the platform complied with court orders to remove specific content. The Supreme Court of Brazil, where Moraes serves as a justice, had not provided an immediate response.
Despite the closure of its operations, X remains accessible to Brazilian users. The platform, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has been at the center of a broader controversy involving free speech and misinformation.
Musk, who acquired Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it as X, has made significant changes to the platform’s policies and staffing, positioning himself as a staunch advocate for “free speech absolutism.”
Since Musk’s takeover, X has seen a substantial shift in its approach to content moderation. Musk has reinstated previously banned accounts, including those of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, former US President Donald Trump, and various far-right figures.
Critics argue that Musk’s interpretation of free speech often aligns with his political views and has led to a rise in extremist and hateful content on the platform. Musk has accused advertisers who pulled their support in response to this content of engaging in “blackmail.”
In Brazil, where free speech regulations are stricter compared to the United States, Justice Moraes has taken a prominent role in addressing the spread of misinformation and online threats. Recently, he ordered an investigation into Musk and X concerning allegations of disseminating defamatory fake news, as well as potential obstruction, incitement, and involvement in criminal organizations.
