Brazil’s Supreme Court is set to deliberate on whether to uphold a recent decision to suspend the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, following a missed court-imposed deadline. The court’s five-member first chamber will convene on Monday to vote on the ruling by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has been at the center of a contentious legal dispute with X owner Elon Musk.
The suspension, which took effect early Saturday, was triggered after X failed to comply with a court order requiring the appointment of a legal representative in Brazil. The deadline, which expired on Thursday evening, was crucial for ensuring that X adheres to local legal requirements, including regulations related to misinformation and hate speech.
Justice Moraes, known for his assertive stance on social media regulation, issued the suspension after X did not name a legal representative in the country, a requirement under Brazilian law. This decision is part of a broader legal conflict that began earlier this year when Moraes ordered X to block accounts involved in investigations of alleged misinformation and hate speech.
Musk, who has publicly criticized Moraes as a “dictator,” responded by closing X’s Brazilian office in August and refusing to appoint a new representative. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the platform and Brazilian authorities over issues of censorship and regulatory compliance.
Chief Justice Luis Roberto Barroso, who supports Moraes’ decision, emphasized the importance of enforcing local laws. “A company that refuses to name a legal representative in Brazil cannot operate in Brazilian territory,” Barroso stated in an interview with Folha de S.Paulo.
The Supreme Court’s vote on Monday will determine whether the suspension of X will be upheld or overturned. The outcome could significantly impact X’s operations in Brazil, one of its largest markets.
