Elon Musk owner of X (formerly Twitter) is in hot water with the Supreme Court of Brazil after refusing compliance with a recent court order in what the multi-billionaire alleges is censorship of accounts opposed to the current government.
This according to several sources including the Guardian, the website Jurist.org and journalist Michael Shellenberger.
On Saturday, X’s Global Government Affairs account tweeted that the company was “forced by court decisions to block certain popular accounts in Brazil,” adding that no reason was provided as to why or any details given regarding the posts that allegedly violate the law.
Furthermore, X said the court prohibited the company from disclosing the accounts concerned and claimed they were threatened with fines of £16,000 a day if the company did not comply.
Musk went on to announce that he will be reversing those blocks and went on to call for the presiding Supreme Court Justice (Alexander de Moraes) to resign or face impeachment.
In the response Moraes issued an inquiry into what he deemed as Musk’s obstruction of justice.
The X CEO has claimed that the court action violates Brazil’s internet law and its Federal Constitution.
On Wednesday Michael Shellenberger released two years worth of communication between the Brazilian Court and Twitter’s legal team related to the “Twitter files” part of an ongoing collaboration between prominent journalists and the media company.
The Twitter files allow journalists access to the company’s internal files ostensibly with the intention of reporting on free speech violations and other abuses.
Shellenberger stated on X, in response to the court decision:
At any moment, Brazil’s Supreme Court could shut off all access to X/Twitter for the people of Brazil.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Brazil is on the brink of dictatorship at the hands of a totalitarian Supreme Court Justice named Alexandre de Moraes.President Lula da Silva is participating in the push toward totalitarianism. Since taking office, Lula has massively increased government funding of the mainstream news media, most of which are encouraging increased censorship. What Lula and de Moraes are doing is an outrageous violation of Brazil’s constitution and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
In refusing to comply with the court order Musk anticipates: “We will probably lose all revenue in Brazil and have to shut down our office there. But principles matter more than profit.”
The Courts actions have been backed by the current president of Brazil ,Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who sees the court action as an attempt to curb what Brazilian officials have referred to as “digital militias” that backed the alleged coup attempt of January 8th.
In this alleged coup attempt supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro stormed the government buildings in the capital of Brasilia.
Bolsonaro posted a video of a meeting between himself and Musk on Saturday which took place in 2022 and has called a rally for his supporters scheduled for April.
These developments follow Brazil’s ongoing action against internet companies including Telegram and Google who are currently being investigated for their criticism of internet regulation in the country.
I will reserve judgement after heariing or reading the Brazilian government’s full explanation.
Unlike some posters here, I will not allow myself to get bent out of shape based on the consumption of what appears to be a half story.
I will say that every country, capitalist or “communist”, has a sovereign right to enforce its laws and regulation and Brazil is no different. Remember Musk is all about Musk in his role of global adventurist and venture capitalist.
An other fool with money, beleive his above the law,just like donald trump he beleive his above the law and you see what foolishness cause him, he have millions to pay, plus jail time, no man is above the law in America not even the president , am waiting for that day.
Elon money can’t buy you everything. Close shop and go away. You are not wanted.
Good on Mr Musk for standing on principle. And..
” In the response Moraes issued an inquiry into what he deemed as Musk’s OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.”
..as usual the communists are accusing others of doing exactly what THEY are doing.
Funny, the communist accusing the fascists of doing exactly what they doing. ha ha
With all your money, you can’t disobey the court order. You need to be kicked out of Brazil as soon as possible.