Brazil Bans X, Imposes $900,000 Daily Fines for Supreme Court Non-Compliance

Sep 19, 2024, 12:32 AM

Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered a nationwide ban on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, citing concerns about misinformation and its potential influence on the 2024 elections. Despite the ban, many users in Brazil were able to access X after the platform adopted Cloudflare's services, which use dynamic IP addresses to circumvent the block. The Brazilian government has responded by imposing fines of up to $900,000 per day on X and Starlink for non-compliance. Prominent right-wing politicians in Brazil have continued to use the platform, claiming it is a matter of free speech. The White House has condemned Brazil's actions, calling it an attack on free speech. Additionally, Brazil seized $3.3 million from X and Starlink bank accounts to cover fines. Users who attempt to access X using VPNs risk fines of up to 50,000 reais (~$9,000) per day. The platform has since gone offline again following a court order, but the situation remains fluid as the platform's legal representatives engage with Brazil's Supreme Court. Alexandre de Moraes, a top judge, has been a central figure in enforcing the ban.