The Associated Press obtained a copy of the decision which came after Musk refused to name a legal representative in Brazil and closed all X offices in the country. De Moraes said the platform will remain blocked until a legal representative is appointed. De Moraes first ordered a probe into X over "spreading misinformation" in April and began imposing fines after Musk refused to block certain accounts in Brazil.
X stated on Thursday that they were anticipating being banned in Brazil by de Moraes "simply because we would not comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents.”
It added: "When we attempted to defend ourselves in court, Judge de Moraes threatened our Brazilian legal representative with imprisonment. Even after she resigned, he froze all of her bank accounts. Our challenges against his manifestly illegal actions were either dismissed or ignored. Judge de Moraes’ colleagues on the Supreme Court are either unwilling or unable to stand up to him."
Additionally, Brazilian citizens or companies who attempt to access the platform via VPN will be subject to fines of up to $8,900 per day. App stores and internet service providers will have 5 days to block access to X.
“Elon Musk showed his total disrespect for Brazilian sovereignty and, in particular, for the judiciary, setting himself up as a true supranational entity and immune to the laws of each country,” de Moraes stated.
Musk took to X to react to the ban, stating, "Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes" and "The attacks this year on free speech are unprecedented in the 21st century. It will happen in America too if Kamala/Walz gain power. Just listen to what they’ve said."
"The oppressive regime in Brazil is so afraid of the people learning the truth that they will bankrupt anyone who tries," he said.
