Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes has taken the controversial decision to block the financial accounts of Elon Musk’s Starlink in Brazil, amid an ongoing feud that could ultimately result in the suspension of Musk’s social media platform X in the country. The move comes as a response to the lack of legal representation for X in Brazil, with Musk denouncing de Moraes’s actions as censorship.
In a post on X, Starlink confirmed that it had received an order from de Moraes prohibiting financial transactions in Brazil and vowed to address the matter legally. Musk, in turn, lashed out at de Moraes, calling him a criminal masquerading as a judge. De Moraes has also ordered Musk to appoint a legal representative for X in Brazil within 24 hours or face suspension of its operations.
The feud between Musk and de Moraes has been escalating for months, with de Moraes cracking down on misinformation and ordering the suspension of over 100 X accounts, some associated with supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Musk has accused de Moraes of stifling free speech and disrespecting Brazil’s sovereignty.
The ongoing battle raises questions about censorship and free speech online, as de Moraes faces criticism for his actions against X and Musk. The situation is closely watched as it could have implications for the future of online freedom in Brazil.
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