Brazil’s Supreme Court orders the suspension of X

Brazil’s Supreme Court orders the suspension of X is profiled by BTW Media because published evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

• A Supreme Court justice in Brazil has ordered the immediate nationwide suspension of social media platform X.
• Earlier this month, X closed its offices in Brazil after de Moraes ordered X to suspend certain accounts on the site.

OUR TAKE
The decision comes amid an ongoing dispute over Platform X’s failure to remove some accounts deemed to be in violation of the law and spreading false information. For the business ecosystem, the suspension of X platform services may make it challenging for enterprises that rely on the platform for marketing and customer interaction, and enterprises may need to consider building more diversified channels to reduce their dependence on a single platform.
— Iydia Ding, BTW reporter

What happened

A Brazilian Supreme Court judge on Friday ordered the immediate nationwide suspension of social media platform X after it refused to appoint new legal representatives in an ongoing dispute. Judge Alexandre de Moraes instructed Internet service providers and app stores to block X in Brazil within five days, It also ordered a daily fine of 50,000 Reais (about $9,000) for those who use virtual private networks (VPNS) or other methods to access the platform.

According to a press release on the court’s website, the order will remain in effect until the company complies with all court orders and pays all fines. De Moraes ordered X on Wednesday to appoint a legal representative within 24 hours or face a ban in Brazil. The platform’s global government affairs team said late Thursday that it expected the justices to soon order the platform to be shut down in the country.

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Why it’s important

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva supported the court’s decision, stressing that all investors in Brazil are subject to Brazilian law. The decision on X comes amid an ongoing dispute over the platform’s failure to remove some accounts deemed to be in violation of the law and spreading false information. The move reflects the Brazilian government’s determination to control social media platforms, which is important for maintaining social order, protecting individuals and public interests, improving information quality and safeguarding national security.

For the business ecosystem, the suspension of X platform services could make it challenging for businesses that rely on the platform for marketing and customer interaction. Businesses may need to re-examine their digital marketing strategies and consider building more diversified channels to reduce their dependence on a single platform.