Brazil has launched an investigation into Elon Musk over potential obstruction of justice following X’s reversal of a decision to block certain profiles in the country.
The inquiry initiated by Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Sunday stems from a series of confrontations between Musk and the Brazilian government. X’s global government affairs team had announced that compliance with “court decisions” had compelled the platform to block “certain popular accounts” in Brazil or face daily fines. Musk swiftly lifted the restrictions and advised X users in Brazil to use VPNs in case of platform access blocking, also calling for Justice de Moraes to resign or face impeachment, alleging his responsibility for the order.
Justice de Moraes, heading Brazil’s top election court, has advocated for eradicating anti-democratic online content, particularly following far-right rioters’ attacks on government buildings in January last year. The Brazilian judiciary has targeted hate speech, incitement, and fake news in several crackdowns post-attack, deeming disinformation a significant threat to the nation.
The motive behind the order for X to ban certain profiles remains ambiguous, whether linked to supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro or far-right groups associated with the January 8th riots. However, X has faced criticism for its handling of misinformation and harmful content since Musk’s acquisition in 2022, with the European Union also reproaching its moderation during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The order and subsequent investigation underscore Brazil’s urgent call for social media regulation, aiming to prevent foreign billionaires from flouting court orders and undermining the rule of law, as emphasized by Brazil’s attorney general, Jorge Messias, in a message directed at Musk on X. Despite Musk’s advocacy for free speech, he has affirmed X’s obligation to comply with the law, reflecting on the platform’s increased compliance with government censorship requests since his ownership takeover.
