A Brazil Supreme Court judge has issued a stern warning to Elon Musk, threatening to suspend operations of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, in the country if Musk does not appoint a legal representative in Brazil within 24 hours. Justice Alexandre de Moraes gave Musk until 8 p.m. local time on Thursday (7 p.m. ET) to comply with the court order, signalling a serious escalation in the ongoing legal battle between Brazilian authorities and the tech mogul.
This ultimatum follows X's recent announcement that it was considering shutting down its operations in Brazil due to what it described as "censorship orders" from the court. The platform has faced increasing scrutiny from Brazilian officials, who have been cracking down on social media accounts spreading misinformation and hate speech. These efforts are part of a broader initiative by the Brazilian government to combat the spread of false information online, a problem that has become increasingly pressing in the digital age.
Justice Moraes has been at the forefront of this crackdown and announced in April that he was investigating Musk for obstruction of justice. The investigation began after Musk publicly stated that he would not comply with a court order to block certain accounts on X in Brazil, a move the judge interpreted as a direct challenge to the country’s legal authority.
The latest development adds to the mounting tension between Musk and Brazilian authorities. Moraes' ultimatum underscores the seriousness of the situation, with the potential suspension of X in Brazil looming if the platform does not comply with the legal requirements.
As of now, X representatives have not responded to requests for comment, leaving uncertainty about how Musk will respond to the court's demands. The outcome of this standoff could have significant implications for X's operations in Brazil and how global tech companies navigate legal challenges in different jurisdictions.
This situation reflects broader issues facing social media platforms worldwide as they grapple with balancing compliance with local laws and the principles of free speech. All eyes are on Brazil as the clock ticks down on Justice Moraes' ultimatum.
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