Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has launched an inquiry into entrepreneur Elon Musk after the billionaire announced plans to reactivate accounts on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, that were previously ordered to be blocked. Mr. Musk took to the platform to declare that the restrictions were being lifted due to his belief that the court order was unconstitutional.
According to reports, Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered fines of 100,000 reais per day if the platform, X, does not comply with the court’s order. Justice Moraes accused Mr. Musk of initiating a disinformation campaign against the Supreme Court with his actions.
In response, Mr. Musk has publicly called for Justice Moraes to resign or face impeachment. The controversy revolves around accounts linked to far-right movements that reportedly shared content related to riots that took place in Brazil on 8 January last year.
Additionally, Justice Moraes is known for his decisions to restrict social media platforms in Brazil and is currently investigating former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and his supporters for their alleged roles in an attempted coup d’état. Mr. Bolsonaro recently shared a video of a meeting he had with Mr. Musk in May 2022, prompting further scrutiny of the situation.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s Communication Minister Paulo Pimenta criticized Mr. Musk, asserting that social networks are not a “lawless land.” He emphasized that regardless of an individual’s wealth and power, disrespect towards Brazil would not be tolerated.
Experts in the field warn that if X chooses to disobey the court order, the platform could potentially face temporary blocking. Bruna Santos, the global campaigns manager at the non-profit organization Digital Action, believes there is a genuine possibility that X may be blocked due to Mr. Musk’s actions.
The unfolding situation involving Mr. Musk, Justice Moraes, and political figures in Brazil continues to raise concerns about the intersection of technology, social media, and judicial oversight. As the investigation progresses, the implications of this clash between powerful individuals and legal authorities remain to be seen.