X, formerly known as Twitter, faces potential blockage in Brazil following its failure to appoint a new legal representative by the imposed deadline. Earlier this month, the social media giant shuttered its local office after its representative received threats of arrest consistent with what the platform termed “censorship.”
The ongoing dispute began in April when Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the suspension of numerous accounts on X for allegedly disseminating disinformation. In a marked escalation, X owner Elon Musk has vowed to reactivate these accounts, labeling Judge Moraes as a “tyrant” and “dictator.”
In a directive issued by Justice Moraes, X was given just 24 hours to name a new legal representative or risk suspension, with the clock striking the deadline shortly after 20:00 local time on Thursday. Should a ban be enacted, it is anticipated to take approximately 12 hours to come into effect.
Shortly after the deadline passed, X confirmed its non-compliance with the judge’s order. A statement from X indicated, “We expect Judge Alexandre de Moraes will soon order X to be shut down in Brazil due to our refusal to follow his illegal orders to censor political opponents.” The company further criticized the judge’s demands, asserting they conflict with Brazilian law.
X reiterated its commitment not to adhere to “illegal orders in secret,” promising to disclose details of the judge’s requirements in the interest of transparency. Justice Moraes’s order pertains primarily to accounts linked to supporters of former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro, who are under investigation for their alleged roles in the event of a coup attempt in January of last year.
