- By Vikas Yadav
- Sun, 18 Aug 2024 02:19 PM (IST)
- Source:REUTERS
X (formerly called Twitter) stated that it would shut down operations in Brazil with immediate effect due to the censorship orders of Alexandre de Moraes, a Brazilian judge. According to X's Global Government Affairs handle, Moraes threatened X's legal representative with arrest if the platform did not comply with the orders. The direction was shared in a "secret order", the platform said.
The legal orders involve taking down a few content pieces and accounts from the platform. According to Reuters, X posted a document allegedly signed by Moraes that talks about a fine of 20,000 reais ($3,653) per day next to an arrest decree against Rachel Nova Conceicao (the X representative) in case of non-compliance.
Last night, Alexandre de Moraes threatened our legal representative in Brazil with arrest if we do not comply with his censorship orders. He did so in a secret order, which we share here to expose his actions.
— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) August 17, 2024
Despite our numerous appeals to the Supreme Court not being heard,… pic.twitter.com/Pm2ovyydhE
"To protect the safety of our staff, we have made the decision to close our operation in Brazil, effective immediately," @GlobalAffairs stated. However, the handle noted that "X service remains available to the people of Brazil". Moraes ordered the microblogging platform to restrict certain accounts amid the investigation of "digital militias" that are accused of circulating fake news and hate speech during former President Jair Bolsonaro's government.
The decision to close the 𝕏 office in Brazil was difficult, but, if we had agreed to @alexandre’s (illegal) secret censorship and private information handover demands, there was no way we could explain our actions without being ashamed.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 17, 2024
Meanwhile, Elon Musk also posted his thoughts on the matter. "The decision to close the X office in Brazil was difficult, but, if we had agreed to @alexandre's (illegal) secret censorship and private information handover demands, there was no way we could explain our actions without being ashamed," he noted. Musk went to term Moraes as "utter disgrace to justice" and said "having a 'justice' who repeatedly and egregiously violates the law is no justice at all."
No question that Moraes needs to leave. Having a “justice” who repeatedly and egregiously violates the law is no justice at all. https://t.co/9luG9oDmOU
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 17, 2024
Also Read: Brazil Orders Probe After Elon Musk Refuses To Block X Accounts Over Misinformation
Earlier this year, the judge opened an inquiry when Musk said X would reinstate accounts that were ordered to be blocked. Musk termed the decision as "unconstitutional". However, X later revisited its statements and said it would comply with the ruling after the initial non-compliance due to "operational faults".