Elon Musk is clashing with a bald, athletically built Supreme Court justice in Brazil over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation on X
Headline-grabbing billionaire Elon Musk is clashing with a Supreme Court justice in Brazil over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation on X, the social media platform Musk bought when it was Twitter. Since his takeover, Musk has upended many of Twitter's policies, gutted its staff and transformed what people see on the site. As its owner and perhaps most influential user, he's also used it to try to sway political discourse around the world.
In Brazil, judges can order any site to remove content. Some decisions are sealed from the public. Neither Brazilian courts nor X have disclosed the list of accounts that have been ordered to stop publishing, but prominent supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro and far-right activists no longer appear on the platform. Some belong to a network known as “digital militias.
Far-right X users have been trying to involve Musk in Brazilian politics for years, said Bruna Santos, lawyer and campaign manager at nonprofit Digital Action. “They often tag him, asking him to take a stand on Moraes,” she said.
That depends on Musk and X’s actions. If they reinstate the accounts in Brazil, the company will face fines — at least. While fines have generally not phased Musk, experts say they could increase and X could even face suspension. “The fines could escalate, eventually leading to the platform’s suspension. But this is always the last measure, as it harms other users in Brazil,” said Filipe Medon, a data privacy lawyer and professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Elon Musk Cancels Don Lemon’s Twitter Show Before Premiere Featuring Elon MuskFormer CNN star Don Lemon's Twitter show was canceled by Elon Musk after his interview for the premiere episode
Read more »
What to know about Elon Musk's 'free speech' feud with a Brazilian judgeElon Musk is clashing with a bald, athletically built Supreme Court justice in Brazil over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation on X.
Read more »
What to know about Elon Musk's 'free speech' feud with a Brazilian judgeElon Musk is clashing with a bald, athletically built Supreme Court justice in Brazil over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation on X.
Read more »
Elon Musk challenges Brazilian judge over order to block X accountsMusk called for the resignation of Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has spearheaded a crackdown on misinformation, hate speech and incitement.
Read more »
Elon Musk Accuses Brazilian Supreme Federal Tribunal Minister of Rigging Presidential ElectionTesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk accuses Brazilian Supreme Federal Tribunal Minister Alexandre de Moraes of rigging the 2022 presidential election, allowing socialist convicted felon Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to be elected president for a third term.
Read more »
Elon Musk defies Brazilian court order to de-platform right-wing activistsA Brazilian court has charged X owner Elon Musk with obstruction of justice after the billionaire refused to deactivate the accounts of several prominent conservative activists.
Read more »