Social media platform X has announced the closure of its operations in Brazil following a legal battle with Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes over the platform’s responsibility to combat disinformation. The shutdown will be “effective immediately,” but Brazilian users will still have access to X. This decision comes after Moraes ordered X to block accounts spreading false news and hate messages, including those linked to supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The move is seen as a response to efforts to fight the spread of disinformation online.
Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, has been in conflict with Moraes, with the judge opening an inquiry into Musk earlier this year after he challenged orders to block certain accounts. Musk called Moraes “an utter disgrace to justice” in a recent social media post.
The decision to close X’s operations in Brazil was a difficult one, according to Musk, who stated that complying with the judge’s orders would have been shameful. Moraes allegedly threatened an X representative with arrest if the platform did not comply with legal orders to take down content.
While the Brazilian Supreme Court declined to confirm or deny the authenticity of the document shared by X, the closure of the platform’s office in Brazil marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between the social media giant and Brazilian authorities. The issue highlights the challenges platforms face in balancing freedom of expression with the responsibility to combat disinformation.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com