Brazil Shuts Down X After Elon Musk Defies Local Laws
A Major Social Network Goes Dark
In a dramatic turn of events, X, one of the world’s most popular social networks, has been blocked in Brazil. The country, known for its massive digital population, took this drastic step after Elon Musk refused to comply with local regulations, leading to the intervention of the supreme court.
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Millions Affected as Ban Takes Effect
On Saturday morning, millions of Brazilian users found themselves unable to access X as internet providers and mobile companies began to enforce the ban. Those trying to log in were met with frustrating messages about lost connectivity, marking a sudden end to their access to the platform.
Mass Migration to Bluesky
With X offline, many Brazilians quickly migrated to Bluesky, a competing social network that welcomed 500,000 new users within just two days. Among those making the switch was Felipe Neto, one of Brazil’s most influential social media figures with over 17 million X followers. Neto reminded users that respecting local laws is a must, even when one disagrees with them.
The Clash Between Musk and Brazil's Judiciary
A Long-Running Standoff Reaches Its Peak
The decision to block X is the climax of a tense, months-long conflict between Brazil’s supreme court and Elon Musk. Alexandre de Moraes, the powerful judge behind the ban, had been leading efforts to force X to crack down on anti-democratic, far-right content in the wake of the January 2023 riots in Brasília. Musk, however, resisted, accusing the judge of suppressing free speech and conservative views.
Musk’s Defiance and the Consequences
The situation escalated when Musk ignored a 24-hour deadline to appoint a new legal representative after X closed its local office in mid-August. In response, Moraes ordered the platform’s shutdown, accusing Musk of treating X like a “no man’s land” where misinformation and hate speech could spread unchecked.
X Goes Offline in Brazil
Shortly after midnight, Brazilian users began noticing that X was no longer accessible. Musk responded by intensifying his attacks on Moraes, even resorting to crude insults. However, with X blocked, most Brazilian users could only see his comments by using VPNs.
Reactions from Across the Political Spectrum
Right-Wing Support for Musk
As expected, right-wing figures in Brazil rallied to Musk’s defense. Nikolas Ferreira, a prominent righ
