The social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, has decided to cease all commercial operations in Brazil. This sudden decision was made after Alexandre de Moraes, the President of the Brazilian Supreme Electoral Court and also a member of the Supreme Federal Court, put pressure on one of the platform’s local legal representatives. According to the company’s statements, Moraes stated that if the platform did not remove certain content, X’s representative in the country could be arrested. The tension created by this situation led X to decide to cease its operations in Brazil.
However, it was stated that the platform will continue to be accessible to users in the country. This shows that despite X ending its physical presence in Brazil, its digital services will continue. In addition, it was stated that the decision was made in order to protect the company’s employees in Brazil. Company officials emphasized that this decision is a precaution against legal pressures in Brazil and that the safety of employees is a priority.
Legal pressures on X and Musk’s reaction
X’s decision is directly related to legal pressures in Brazil. According to the company’s statements, Alexandre de Moraes’ demands for X to remove certain content from the platform contradict the platform’s legal and ethical responsibilities. X described de Moraes’ demands as a “secret order” and ensured that this order was shared with the public. Elon Musk claimed that these demands violate not only Brazilian law, but also Argentine, US and international law.
Musk stated that the decision to end operations in Brazil was a difficult one, and that if he had given in to these demands, X would not have been able to make a statement without feeling embarrassed. Musk stated that de Moraes’ demands were illegal and were asked to be kept secret, and described this situation as an action “incompatible with democratic governance.” Musk stated that the Brazilian people must make a decision in this case to choose democracy or de Moraes’ style of governance.
Political and legal background in Brazil
This incident can be considered the latest in a series of tensions between X and the Brazilian government. Elon Musk said in April that he would resist demands to close certain accounts in Brazil, stating that he considered them unconstitutional. In response, de Moraes launched an investigation into Musk for obstruction of justice. Later in April, X announced that it would abide by any decision made by Brazil’s highest courts.
That same month, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee released an interim report alleging that the Brazilian government forced X and other social media platforms to censor more than 300 accounts, including those belonging to former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, a federal senator and a journalist.
X’s decision to end its operations in Brazil can be seen as a result of the conflict between legal pressures in Brazil and the platform’s principles of freedom of expression. This development has a major impact both in Brazil and internationally, and may cause social media platforms to reconsider their stance against political and legal pressures.