Judge Orders Block of X Network in Brazil; Musk Accuses Him of Political Motives

A Supreme Court judge in Brazil ordered the suspension of the social network X, owned by Elon Musk, yesterday due to "repeated" non-compliance with court orders, marking the latest clash between the magistrate and the tycoon.

Judge Alexandre de Moraes, a prominent figure in the fight against misinformation in Brazil, demanded in his ruling that "all necessary measures be taken to implement the action" against Musk's company. Musk condemned the decision: "Freedom of expression is the foundation of democracy, and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes." "They are shutting down the primary source of truth in Brazil," added the magnate, who called the magistrate a "malicious dictator."

Moraes also requested that Google, Apple, and internet service providers "introduce technological barriers to prevent the use of the X application" and access to its website. He warned that daily fines of 50,000 reais (9,000 dollars) would be imposed on individuals "engaging in behaviors involving technological subterfuge" to circumvent the block.