Brazilian Supreme Court Upholds Nationwide Block of Musk's Social Media Platform X

The Brazilian Supreme Court has upheld Justice Alexandre de Moraes' decision to block Elon Musk's social media platform X. The block remains until compliance with naming a local legal representative and paying fines. The decision includes fines for VPN use, sparking legal debates.

The Brazilian Supreme Court has reinforced Justice Alexandre de Moraes' decision to block billionaire Elon Musk's social media platform X nationwide, according to the court's website.

This collective backing among the justices deals a significant blow to Musk and his supporters, who have accused de Moraes of being an authoritarian censor. Composed of five of the 11 justices, including de Moraes, the panel supported the platform's block due to its failure to appoint a local legal representative, as required by law. The platform will remain blocked until it fulfills the legal requirements and pays fines totaling over $3 million as of last week.

Additionally, de Moraes imposed a daily fine of 50,000 reais ($8,900) for individuals or businesses using VPNs to access X. Legal experts, including Brazil's bar association, have questioned the grounds for the VPN fine and its enforceability, suggesting a Supreme Court review. Despite the controversies, the panel upheld both the block and the VPN fine, with one justice dissenting on the condition the users are committing crimes. The decision escalates a protracted conflict between Musk and de Moraes over free speech and misinformation, especially significant as Brazil represents a major market for X with tens of millions of users.

(With inputs from agencies.)