Brazil suspends the social network X for defying court orders

Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the suspension of the social network X nationwide on 30 August 2024, after Elon Musk’s company refused to appoint a legal representative in Brazil and to comply with orders to block accounts investigated for spreading disinformation and attacks on institutions.

The measure, upheld by a panel of the court, cut off access to the platform for tens of millions of users and triggered a mass migration to other networks. The service was restored on 8 October 2024, after X paid the fines imposed and appointed a legal representative.

The episode illustrated the tension between states’ regulatory sovereignty and the power of large platforms, and reignited debate over the limits of court-ordered content takedowns in relation to freedom of expression.

Source: Supreme Federal Court of Brazil.