Starlink to Comply with Brazil's Order to Block X
Compliance with Brazil's Supreme Court Order
Starlink, the internet service owned by Elon Musk, has agreed to comply with the order of the Brazil Supreme Court to block access to X, a social media platform also owned by Musk. Despite this, the company has pledged to explore all legal options to allow the recently prohibited platform to operate in Brazil. This decision, announced by Starlink on September 3rd, seems to be a reversal of its earlier stance, as the country's telecommunications regulator had previously stated that the satellite-based internet provider would not agree to block the social media platform.
Starlink's Statement
According to a statement from Starlink, the company will follow the order given by Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, which requires internet service providers and app stores to block X from their platforms. Despite the freezing of its assets, Starlink has confirmed that it will comply with the order to block access to X in Brazil. The company continues to explore all legal avenues and has expressed that the recent orders of Justice de Moraes violate the Brazilian constitution.
Asset Freeze and Legal Action
Justice de Moraes had frozen Starlink's accounts last week to pressure the company to cover fines imposed on X in Brazil, arguing that both are part of the same group controlled by Musk. Starlink, in response to the asset freeze, stated on August 29th that it believes Justice de Moraes's decision violated due process and was unconstitutional. The company intends to address the matter legally.
Compliance with the Ban
Starlink's announcement that it will comply with the order to shut down X came after a spokesperson from Brazil's telecommunications regulator informed The Epoch Times that the company had informally expressed its intention to resist the X ban to a top agency executive. The spokesperson stated that if Starlink does not comply, it could face sanctions, including the potential revocation of its operating license in Brazil.
Consequences for Non-compliance
Arthur Coimbra, a board member of Anatel, Brazil's telecommunications regulator, warned that if Starlink refuses to comply with the order to block X, authorities could seize equipment from Starlink's 23 ground stations in Brazil. Starlink currently serves over a quarter of a million customers in the country.
Dispute with Brazilian Officials
This recent development marks the latest episode in an ongoing dispute between Brazilian officials and Musk, who has previously refused to comply with court orders to block accounts accused of spreading hate and misinformation. Both Musk and X's global government affairs team have condemned these orders as unlawful attempts at censorship.
Penalties for Users
Justice de Moraes's order also announced a daily penalty of $8,900 for users in Brazil who use a virtual private network to bypass the ban. According to de Moraes, X will remain blocked until it complies with his orders.
Criticism of the Decision
Musk has been vocal in his criticism of Justice de Moraes and his decision to block X in Brazil. In a recent post, Musk agreed with billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman's comparison of de Moraes's actions to strong-arm tactics in communist-ruled China, warning that this could make Brazil an "uninvestable" market.
Bottom Line
The decision by Starlink to comply with the Brazilian Supreme Court's order to block X marks a significant development in the ongoing dispute between Elon Musk and Brazilian authorities. It raises questions about the balance between government regulation and freedom of speech in the digital age. What are your thoughts on this issue? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, available every day at 6pm.
