Mexico: In a dramatic turn of events, the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, announced on Saturday its decision to cease operations in Brazil. The move comes amid escalating tensions between the company and the Brazilian judiciary, particularly with Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. X claimed that Justice de Moraes threatened to arrest its judicial representative in Brazil if the company failed to comply with recent censorship orders.
The decision to shut down operations involves laying off all remaining employees in Brazil with immediate effect. Despite this, X reassured its users in Brazil that the platform’s services would continue, though the company provided no clarity on how it would maintain operations without an on-the-ground presence.
Uncertain Future of X’s Services in Brazil
The announcement raises significant questions about how X intends to keep its platform accessible to Brazilian users without a local operational base. Earlier this year, tensions flared between the company and Justice de Moraes over issues related to freedom of expression, the presence of far-right accounts, and the spread of misinformation on X. The latest conflict appears to be an extension of this ongoing battle.
Censorship Allegations and Judicial Backlash
X has accused Justice de Moraes of imposing censorship through his recent orders, which the company argues infringe upon free speech. In a bold move, X publicly shared a copy of the court order it received, though the Supreme Court’s media office has yet to respond to these allegations or verify the authenticity of the documents.
This confrontation is not the first between X and Justice de Moraes. In April, the judge launched an investigation into X’s CEO, Elon Musk, accusing him of disseminating defamatory fake news on the platform. Justice de Moraes also directed X to probe the activities of criminal groups and monitor posts that could incite violence or unrest.
Political Ramifications and Accusations of Judicial Overreach
The controversy surrounding Justice de Moraes has broader political implications in Brazil. Right-wing factions have accused the judge of overstepping his authority, curbing freedom of expression, and engaging in politically motivated persecution. Justice de Moraes, however, maintains that his actions are vital for safeguarding Brazilian democracy.
Over the past few months, Justice de Moraes has taken a hardline stance on several issues, including investigating corruption allegations against former President Jair Bolsonaro, banning social media accounts of far-right allies, and ordering the arrest of individuals involved in the January 8, 2023, attack on government buildings.
In its statement, X criticized Justice de Moraes for allegedly using intimidation tactics against its employees in Brazil, accusing him of disregarding legal norms and due process. Elon Musk also weighed in, calling Justice de Moraes a “big blot on justice” in a social media post that has further fueled the debate over the role of the judiciary in regulating online speech.
