The ongoing legal battle between billionaire investor Elon Musk and Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has reached a new level, with Moraes ordering the immediate suspension of Musk's social media platform X in Brazil for not complying with local laws. This comes after the platform refused to abide by Moraes' orders to remove accounts linked to supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who are implicated in an investigation into a possible coup. Musk argues that Moraes is pushing unjustified censorship, while the judge believes X needs to regulate hate speech. The ban will remain in place until X meets all court orders and pays a hefty fine.
Brazil's Supreme Court Suspends Elon Musk's X Platform amid Legal Battle
Background
The legal battle between billionaire investor Elon Musk and Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes escalated when Moraes ordered the immediate suspension of Musk's social media platform X in Brazil. The suspension stems from X's refusal to comply with local laws and remove accounts linked to supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Court's Decision
Moraes issued the suspension order on February 3, 2023, accusing X of "publishing illegal content" and "failing to comply with court orders." The judge specifically cited X's refusal to remove accounts linked to Bolsonaro's supporters, who are implicated in an investigation into a possible coup attempt. Moraes argued that X was providing a platform for the spread of hate speech and misinformation.
Musk's Response
Musk has vehemently denied the allegations of censorship and vowed to fight the suspension order. He accused Moraes of "pushing unjustified censorship" and suppressing free speech. Musk claimed that X has been actively working to combat hate speech and misinformation on its platform.
Suspension Details
The ban on X in Brazil will remain in effect until the platform fully complies with all court orders. X has also been fined heavily for its non-compliance. The platform's Brazilian operations are currently suspended, and users are unable to access the website or mobile app.
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