Elon Musk has drawn fire from Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes after Musk reportedly criticized a court order to block certain accounts on X.
Musk is fighting Moraes' decision to force his social networking platform X to remove specific users. Musk stated on Sunday that X would abolish the limitations because such orders were unlawful. Musk also criticized Moraes and said he should step down or be impeached.
As per the Financial Times, the profiles are most likely associated with far-right movements that have thrived on X and other social media platforms, such as Telegram.
(Photo: SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images) X (formerly Twitter) CEO Elon Musk attends a symposium on "Antisemitism Online" at the Krakow European Jewish Association conference on January 22, 2024.
Musk's assaults on the judge began Saturday evening when Moraes threatened to "cut off access" to the platform that Musk acquired in 2022.
Moraes, one of 11 Supreme Court members who presided over Brazil's Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE), has been a polarizing figure.
Musk's recent remarks reflect the talking lines of Brazil's far-right, which has long accused De Moraes and the Supreme Court of censorship and conducting a "judicial dictatorship."
Brazil's Supreme Court Judge Moraes
De Moraes is widely regarded as having played a part in defending Brazilian democracy during the 2022 presidential election, when the president at the time, Jair Bolsonaro, made baseless assertions regarding the integrity of the voting system.
Following the Brasília riots, De Moraes imposed harsh punishments and accused protestors of plotting a coup. Orlando Silva, a government-aligned senator, stated that Musk had disrespected the judiciary and that in retaliation, he would submit laws establishing a "responsibilities regime for these digital platforms."
In his investigation, Moraes stated that X must not violate any previously issued court order, including any profile reactivation prohibited by this Supreme Court.
Musk's Censorship and Free Speech
According to the judge, if X fails to comply with the order to restrict particular accounts, the corporation would face a daily punishment of $19,740.
Musk, a self-proclaimed free speech absolutist, purchased X in late 2022 and swiftly loosened its moderation procedures, reinstating some previously banned accounts. Some on the right have applauded the developments, but opponents, including civil rights organizations, claim that the platform is failing to monitor hate speech and extremist content sufficiently.
Social media platforms are under increasing pressure to comply with new legislation in countries such as India and Turkey, which might oblige companies to remove information or risk bans, fines, or jailing employees.
Critics believe that such restrictions are restrictive and can be utilized by government leaders to muzzle dissidents and activists.
Despite his frequent advocacy for free expression, Musk has already faced criticism for accommodating censorship demands from various regimes. X has just begun openly sharing the requests they get.
In March, X announced that it had successfully fought the Turkish government in court after the country's authorities ordered the removal of roughly 50 anti-government posts, including three from the opposition party leader.
Related Article: Elon Musk's X Informs Users They Could Lose Followers as Bot Elimination Begins
(Photo: Tech Times)
