X, the online social networking service previously recognized as Twitter, has officially declared that it will cease its business activities within Brazil. Despite this cessation, individuals residing in Brazil will continue to have access to the platform’s services.
This development unfolds amidst an ongoing legal confrontation involving Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice, Alexandre de Moraes. Justice Moraes has been actively working to suspend specific user accounts on X, citing their involvement in the dissemination of false information pertaining to elections and the operation of “digital militias.”
The situation escalated when X communicated through its official channel dedicated to global government affairs. The company disclosed that Justice Moraes has issued a direct threat of incarceration against X’s legal representative in Brazil. This ultimatum was given in response to the company’s non-compliance with the justice’s demands to enact censorship on the platform.
The firm elaborated on its decision, stating, “In light of the current circumstances which pose a risk to the safety of our personnel, we have resolved to immediately terminate our business operations in Brazil. Nonetheless, the X platform will persist in being accessible to Brazilian users.”
Previously, X had made public a list of accounts that were under scrutiny, noting that the accounts subject to potential blocking included those of a clergy member, an active member of Parliament, and the spouse of a former Parliamentarian.
At the beginning of the year, Justice Moraes initiated a criminal investigation targeting Elon Musk, following Musk’s acquisition of X and his subsequent declaration to countermand a judicial directive by removing restrictions on certain accounts. Subsequently, X appeared to backtrack, indicating that it would, in fact, comply with the order to block the accounts.
The actions of Justice Moraes have drawn criticism from supporters of Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s ex-president known for his far-right political stance. These supporters have called for Moraes’ impeachment. Bolsonaro, who was defeated in the 2022 elections, has been barred by Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court from running for public office for a duration of eight years. The court’s decision was based on allegations that Bolsonaro attempted to destabilize the electoral process by propagating claims of electoral fraud.
Musk, who had an encounter with Bolsonaro during a trip to Brazil in 2022, has voiced his opinion that Justice Moraes “ought to either voluntarily resign or be subjected to impeachment proceedings.”
In the most recent communication shared today, X emphasized that “our Brazilian employees bear no accountability or influence over decisions to block content on our platform.” The company further highlighted the gravity of the situation facing Brazilian citizens, framing it as a pivotal choice between “democracy or Alexandre de Moraes.” This statement underscores the tension between the platform’s stance on freedom of expression and the legal actions taken by the Brazilian judiciary.
