The Brazilian judiciary has confirmed that the social network X will continue to be blocked until it pays a fine of 1.8 million USD
The Supreme Court of Brazil this Friday it ratified the blocking of the social network xproperty of Elon Muskconsidering that the platform must still pay the imposed fines and provide additional information before resuming its activities in the country.
The platform, which has nearly 20 million users in Brazil, has been suspended since August 31 by order of the municipality. Alexandre de Moraesas part of an investigation into the spread of fake news and hate crimes on the Internet.
A High Court judge rejected an application on Thursday by X’s lawyers, who argued they had complied with all the court’s requests to lift the suspension.
De Moraes said that the social network must pay a fine of 10 million reais ($1.8 million) deposited after an alleged maneuver that allowed the platform to temporarily bypass the blockade. In addition, the platform must decide whether to withdraw a number of appeals filed in the case.
“The immediate return of its activity depends only on full compliance with Brazilian legislation and absolute compliance with the decisions of the courts, with respect to national sovereignty.“De Moraes stated in his decision this Friday.
The municipality decided to suspend the social network due to several contempts from the company Muskwhich refused to remove a group of profiles suspected of disinformation and promoting hatred on the platform. These profiles would be linked to far-right bloggers and activists who attack the country’s democratic institutions. According to the Supreme Court, these bills sought to “establish an environment of total impunity and a ‘lawless country.’
Moreover, the judge added that Rachel de Oliveira Villa NovaX’s legal representative in Brazil, must also pay a fine of 300,000 reais ($55,000) for using a server that allowed him to avoid a two-day suspension.
The platform resumed operations in Brazil last Wednesday, thanks to a technical maneuver that allowed it to bypass a court block, before becoming inactive again the next day as it complied with a new court order.
The blockade sparked a strong confrontation between Musk and a Brazilian judge. The X, Tesla and SpaceX owner called De Moraes a “dictator” and accused him of “violating” Brazil’s constitution. Despite these accusations, Musk gradually began to comply with the demands Federal Supreme Court.
In a statement posted on his Global Government Affairs account,dedicated to protecting free speech within the limits of the law” and reiterated his respect for the “sovereignty of the countries” where he operates. The company also announced that it will continue to work with authorities to resolve the remaining issues.
X’s suspension comes amid growing concern over the use of digital platforms to spread disinformation and attacks against democracy in Brazil.
The social network has since complied with some of the court’s rulings, such as appointing a legal representative in the country, but the Supreme Court believes it still needs to comply with the payment of fines and other formalities.
for the moment
(With information from EFE and AFP)