Musk Incurs Additional Fine to Reestablish X in Brazil
A leading Brazilian judge has insisted that Elon Musk must pay an additional fine if he wishes to lift the ban on X. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Elon Musk faces another financial penalty as he seeks to lift the nationwide ban on his X platform imposed by Brazil at the end of August, according to local media reports citing a filing from the Supreme Court released on Friday. The fine was mandated by Justice Alexandre de Moraes after X briefly became available in Brazil despite the ban, allegedly via Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink.
The conflict between Musk and Brazilian authorities began in April when Moraes ordered X to remove multiple accounts accused of disseminating disinformation. Musk declined, arguing that such action would contravene Brazilian law.
On August 30, Moraes enforced a nationwide prohibition against X and levied a fine for the platform's failure to designate a new legal representative in Brazil. He also ordered the accounts of both X and Starlink, Musk’s SpaceX subsidiary, to be frozen to ensure compliance with the fine.
In mid-September, the court unblocked both accounts but seized 18.35 million Brazilian reais from them to enforce the penalty.
Initially, Musk resisted Moraes’ demands, labeling the judge “an evil dictator cosplaying as a judge.” However, this week, X’s legal team announced that the platform had addressed the issues highlighted by the court, including the appointment of attorney Rachel de Oliveira as its new legal representative, and requested the removal of the ban.
On Friday, the court received a report from Brazil’s telecommunications authority indicating that X had been accessible for two days the preceding week, despite the suspension. Moraes accused Musk of “deliberately and illegally” attempting to “circumvent” the ban, ordering him to pay an additional 10.3 million reais to restore the platform’s operation in Brazil. Oliveira was also fined 300,000 reais.
“The immediate return of X depends solely on the full compliance with Brazilian legislation and the absolute observance of the court orders in respect of national sovereignty,” Moraes stated in the court order.
X’s legal team in Brazil opted not to comment on Moraes' recent decision, and Musk has remained notably quiet regarding the latest developments.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
The conflict between Musk and Brazilian authorities began in April when Moraes ordered X to remove multiple accounts accused of disseminating disinformation. Musk declined, arguing that such action would contravene Brazilian law.
On August 30, Moraes enforced a nationwide prohibition against X and levied a fine for the platform's failure to designate a new legal representative in Brazil. He also ordered the accounts of both X and Starlink, Musk’s SpaceX subsidiary, to be frozen to ensure compliance with the fine.
In mid-September, the court unblocked both accounts but seized 18.35 million Brazilian reais from them to enforce the penalty.
Initially, Musk resisted Moraes’ demands, labeling the judge “an evil dictator cosplaying as a judge.” However, this week, X’s legal team announced that the platform had addressed the issues highlighted by the court, including the appointment of attorney Rachel de Oliveira as its new legal representative, and requested the removal of the ban.
On Friday, the court received a report from Brazil’s telecommunications authority indicating that X had been accessible for two days the preceding week, despite the suspension. Moraes accused Musk of “deliberately and illegally” attempting to “circumvent” the ban, ordering him to pay an additional 10.3 million reais to restore the platform’s operation in Brazil. Oliveira was also fined 300,000 reais.
“The immediate return of X depends solely on the full compliance with Brazilian legislation and the absolute observance of the court orders in respect of national sovereignty,” Moraes stated in the court order.
X’s legal team in Brazil opted not to comment on Moraes' recent decision, and Musk has remained notably quiet regarding the latest developments.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
