In a significant blow to freedom of expression in Brazil, social media platform X has officially closed its local operations after facing aggressive censorship demands from the country’s Supreme Court. The decision follows a secret order by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who threatened to arrest X officials and impose daily fines unless the platform complied with demands to block accounts critical of President Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva’s government.
Moraes, known for his heavy-handed tactics against conservative voices, has long been accused of using his judicial power to silence opposition and protect leftist interests. Since his key role in freeing Lula from prison in 2018, Moraes has expanded his authority, leading investigations and issuing censorship orders that have disproportionately targeted Bolsonaro supporters and right-wing politicians.
In a statement, X’s global government affairs team announced the closure, citing the safety of their employees as the primary concern. “Despite our numerous appeals to the Supreme Court not being heard, the Brazilian public not being informed about these orders, and our Brazilian staff having no responsibility or control over whether content is blocked, Moraes has chosen to threaten our staff rather than respect the law or due process,” the statement read.
Elon Musk took to X to remind users of the importance of free speech in the United States, posting, “A reminder that free speech in America is special and we need to do everything possible to preserve it.”
The situation in Brazil highlights the growing authoritarianism under Lula’s administration, with Moraes acting as a key enforcer of censorship. Critics argue that the judge’s unchecked authority has turned Brazil’s judiciary into a political tool used to suppress dissent and control public discourse.
The shutdown of X’s operations in Brazil serves as a warning of the dangers posed by judicial overreach and censorship. As Brazil continues down this path, the line between democracy and authoritarianism becomes increasingly blurred, leaving both citizens and global observers concerned about the country’s future.
