Social Media Giant X Shuts Down Operations in Brazil Due to Legal and Censorship Issues

MEXICO CITY — Social media giant X said Saturday it would cease operations in Brazil, a move that comes after Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes reportedly ordered the arrest of X’s legal representative in Brazil unless specific warrants were complied with.

X announced an immediate withdrawal of its staff from its Brazilian operations, although it mentioned that Brazilian users would still have access to its services. The company did not clarify the apparent contradiction in continuing to offer services while suspending operations.

This announcement follows a series of meetings earlier this year between X representatives and Judge de Moraes. These discussions focused on free speech, the spread of far-right narratives, and misinformation on the platform. X has labeled de Moraes’ recent directives as censorship and has published a document detailing these claims.

As of Saturday, the Supreme Court press office had not responded to requests from The Associated Press for comment or confirmation of the document’s authenticity.

In the United States, where free speech is more broadly protected by the constitution, the situation is in contrast to that in Brazil. There, Judge de Moraes has opened an investigation into X CEO Elon Musk for allegedly spreading defamatory falsehoods, among other investigations into potential criminal activity.

Political conservatives in Brazil have often described Judge de Moraes as overly aggressive in limiting freedom of expression and engaging in political witch-hunts.

Judge de Moraes’ actions have been particularly notable in his investigation of former President Jair Bolsonaro, the removal of far-right elements from social media platforms, and the arrest of individuals involved in the January 8, 2023 riots at government buildings. These measures have marked his tenure as a rigorous defender of Brazil’s nascent democracy.

X’s statement criticized Judge de Moraes’ approach, arguing that he had targeted the company’s staff in Brazil rather than adhering to legal standards and due process.

Elon Musk, owner of X and a self-described “free speech absolutist,” expressed his disapproval on Saturday morning, labeling Judge de Moraes a “disgrace to justice.”