San Francisco, September 1: Elon Musk's X was banned in Brazil due to Supreme Court order issued by Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The X shutdown in Brazil sparked debate among netizens about the "freedom of speech" and allowing Elon Musk's social platform to be operational in the country. The Brazil judge Moraes ordered X to be banned from the country and imposed a hefty fine of 50,000 reais, about USD 8,900 (around INR 7.46 lakh), to those who tried to access it, even by using a VPN. 

Calling it a death of freedom of speech, Elon Musk said he would publish a long list of crimes committed by Brazil court judge Alexandre de Moraes on September 1, 2024. The tech billionaire's social platform has created a separate X account, "Alexandre Files (@AlexandreFiles)", and published how the Brazil SC judge violated Brazilian law. 'Freedom of Speech Under Massive Attack Globally': Elon Musk Amid X Shutdown in Brazil, Criticism of Kamala Harris.

Alexandre Files Account Opened by Elon Musk to Expose Brazil Justice Alexandre de Moraes

Alexandre Files Posts Details About Violation of Brazilian Law

Pershing Square CEO Bill Ackman's Post on X Shutdown in Brazil

Elon Musk Warned Investing in Brazil Was Insane Under Current Administration

Elon Musk Shared Funny Meme on Brazil Justice Alexandre de Moraes

It said that judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered X to block several accounts, including the account of a sitting Senator. While issuing the order, the judge did not reference any illegal posts from any accounts. The Brazil judge issued X to block accounts of Brazilian Senator Marcos Riberio Do Val (@marcosdoval), a journalist's wife, Sandra Maria Volf Pedro Eustaquio (@mvestaquio) and 16-year-old daughter Mariana Volf Pedro Estaquio.

Brazil SC judge Alexandre de Moraes further ordered the blocking of the X accounts of the wife of former Brazilian Deputy Paola De Silva Daniel (@DraPaola), Internet personality Ednardo Da Vila Mello Raposo (@EdRaposo_), Sergio Fischer (@xfischer), pastor Josias Pereira Lima (@PrJosiasPereir3), and Claudio Rogasane De Luz (@Claudio061973). 

Elon Musk's X also posted more details highlighting Brazilian law broken by the judge using Alexandre Files account. It said the order issued by Judge Moraes violated freedom of expression as per Articles 5, IV & IX, the prohibition of censorship as per Article 220, Paragraph 2, and the specificity requirements in internet law as Article 19, Paragraph 19.

Alliance Defending Freedom, also known as ADF International, joined the ongoing tension between Elon Musk's X and Brazil judge Alexandre de Moraes. The organisation said it petitioned the Inter American Commission of Human Rights, which has authority over Brazil under the American Convention. ADF International said, "The censorship from the Supreme Federal Court and Superior Electoral Court violate international law... NOW is the time to intervene." 

Elon Musk also called names  Brazil's judges "dictator" and "Alexandre de Voldemort" and shared funny memes. Brazil's President Lula said Elon Musk must respect the country's top court and its decision to shut down X. On the other hand, President Lula's own party continued to use X despite the Supreme Court-ordered X shutdown. Elon Musk Shares ‘Funny’ Meme To Take a Dig at Supreme Court Judge Alexandre De Moraes, Calls Top Brazilian Judge ‘Voldemort’ Following Suspension of X in Brazil.

Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square, expressed that Brazil was on the path of becoming a "univestable market" after the SC's decision to ban X from the country. Just like China, which committed similar acts that led to capital flight and a collapse in valuations, he said Brazil may face the same fate unless it retreats quickly. Elon Musk agreed with the statement, saying, "Investing in Brazil under their current administration is insane. When there is new leadership, that will hopefully change."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 01, 2024 10:56 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).