Brazilian authorities have suspended access to X, formerly known as Twitter, after the social media platform failed to comply with a Supreme Court order to appoint a new legal representative in the country.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the immediate suspension of X, citing its failure to comply with court orders and pay existing fines related to spreading disinformation.
The dispute began in April when Justice de Moraes ordered the suspension of several X accounts accused of spreading fake news, particularly those linked to supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
In response to the platform’s shutdown, X owner Elon Musk criticised the judge, calling him an “unelected pseudo-judge” who was undermining free speech for political reasons.
X had recently closed its office in Brazil, alleging threats of arrest against its representative and labeling the court’s actions as “censorship” and illegal under Brazilian law.
