Elon Musk eats controversies for breakfast, and since he's the CEO of several companies, he is accountable for every issue that may be thrown at him.
In a significant blow to Musk's social media platform, X has been officially banned in Brazil following a dispute with the country's Supreme Court. The ban, implemented this Friday, Aug. 30, has left many users questioning about the future of X in the country.
Dispute with the Brazilian Supreme Court
When Musk made the biggest acquisition he had for some time, it was in 2022 when the news about Twitter buyout took the social media world by storm. Since then, it faced numerous challenges, and the recent one tackled the consequences it currently faces in Brazil.
According to GI, a Brazilian digital newspaper, the ban on X in Brazil stems from a dispute with the country's Supreme Court. The court had requested that X remove certain profiles deemed harmful for spreading false information. However, Musk's refusal to comply with the court's demands and failure to appoint a local legal representative ultimately led to the ban.
It's important to note that the conflict began when Musk shut down X's office in Brazil, laying off all local employees.
"They're shutting down the #1 source of truth in Brazil," Musk said in a post on X on Friday, as spotted by Reuters.
Related Article: Elon Musk Claims Brazil's Justice de Moraes is 'Violating the Law' with Higher X Fines
Financial Penalties and App Removal Requests
X has already incurred substantial financial penalties in Brazil for disobeying court orders. The platform has been fined over $3 million for its noncompliance. The Brazilian court has also requested that both Apple and Google remove the X app from their respective app stores.
Apple's Response and Potential Consequences
While access to X has been suspended in Brazil, the app remains available on Apple's App Store. Apple has yet to comment on whether it will comply with the court's request to remove the app. However, the company faces a daily fine of $9,000 if it fails to comply, as per 9to5Mac.
Previous Actions by Apple and Google
This is not the first time Apple has faced pressure to remove apps from its app store due to legal violations. In the past, the company banned WhatsApp and Threads from the Chinese App Store at the local government's request.
Impact on Brazilian Users and Alternative Platforms
The ban on X has significant implications for Brazilian users relying on the platform for social interaction and communication. Due to the ban, many Brazilians have turned to alternative microblogging platforms such as Mastodon, Bluesky, and Threads.
Back in April, former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro's supporters praised Musk for his refusal to ban X accounts spreading fake news. Simply put, the billionaire did not adhere to the order of the Brazillian Supreme Court.
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