Elon Musk’s satellite-based internet service provider Starlink announced on Tuesday that it will comply with a Brazilian Supreme Court order to block access to X, the billionaire’s social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
In a statement posted on X, Starlink declared its intention to heed Justice Alexandre de Moraes’ directive, despite the justice having frozen the company’s assets. Previously, Starlink had informed the telecommunications regulator that it would not comply until the justice reversed his decision.
“Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil,” the company stated. “We continue to pursue all legal avenues, as are others who agree that @alexandre’s recent order violates the Brazilian constitution.”
Justice de Moraes froze Starlink’s accounts last week to compel it to cover X’s accumulating fines, which have already exceeded $3 million. He reasoned that the two companies are part of the same economic group. Starlink filed an appeal but has declined to comment further.
Subsequently, the justice ordered the suspension of X for failing to appoint a local legal representative, a requirement for receiving court notifications and taking swift action, particularly regarding account takedowns. On Monday, a Supreme Court panel unanimously upheld the block.
X has clashed with Justice de Moraes over its reluctance to block users—mostly far-right activists accused of undermining Brazilian democracy and allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The company has alleged that the justice seeks a local legal representative to enable authorities to exert leverage over the company through potential arrests.
Elon Musk has been active on X in recent days, openly criticizing Justice de Moraes. “This evil tyrant is a disgrace to judges’ robes,” Musk wrote on X alongside a photo of the justice, approximately 17 hours before Starlink announced its decision to comply with the order.
Since the announcement, Musk has not posted about Starlink’s operations in Brazil.
(With input from AP)
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Starlink says will comply with judge's order to block X in Brazil
cgtn.com
