Social media giant X announced it will cease its operations in Brazil following a legal dispute with a top Brazilian judge over the platform’s obligations to combat disinformation.
Previously known as Twitter, the platform stated on Saturday that the shutdown was “effective immediately,” though Brazilian users would still have access to X.
“We are deeply saddened to have made this decision,” the company said, placing the responsibility “solely” on Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes.
This decision marks the climax of a legal standoff between Moraes, who aims to curb the spread of online disinformation, and Elon Musk, the owner of X.
Earlier this year, Moraes ordered X to block certain accounts accused of spreading false information and hate speech, including some linked to supporters of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that Brazil’s electronic voting system was vulnerable to fraud before the closely contested 2022 election.
Months after losing to left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Bolsonaro supporters stormed key government institutions in protest of the election results.
“Freedom of expression doesn’t mean freedom of aggression,” Moraes, who heads Brazil’s Superior Electoral Tribunal, has stated. “It doesn’t mean the freedom to defend tyranny.”
On Saturday, X accused Moraes of secretly threatening one of the company’s legal representatives in Brazil with arrest if the platform didn’t comply with orders to remove specific content.
X shared images of a document allegedly signed by Moraes, stating that a daily fine of 20,000 reais ($3,653) and an arrest warrant would be issued against X representative Rachel Nova Conceicao if the platform did not fully comply with his orders.
Brazil’s Supreme Court declined to comment on the matter and did not verify the authenticity of the document shared by X.
In a separate social media post on Saturday, Musk referred to Moraes as “an utter disgrace to justice.”
“The decision to close X’s office in Brazil was difficult,” Musk said, adding that complying with the judge’s orders would have left the company ashamed of its actions.
Earlier this year, Moraes launched an investigation into Musk after he announced plans to reactivate accounts that the judge had ordered blocked.
Following Musk’s challenges, X representatives reversed course and informed Brazil’s Supreme Court that the company would comply with the rulings.
In April, X’s lawyers told the court that “operational faults” had allowed users ordered to be blocked to remain active, after Moraes demanded an explanation for the platform’s failure to fully enforce his decisions.