Starlink pledges to follow judge's order to block X in Brazil
Elon Musk's satellite internet service, Starlink, reversed its stance on Tuesday, announcing that it will adhere to a ruling from a Brazilian Supreme Court justice mandating the blocking of Musk's social media platform, X.
TroibNews 
Starlink, the satellite-based internet service provider owned by Elon Musk, announced on Tuesday that it will obey a directive from Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to block Musk’s social media platform, X, in Brazil. This decision was communicated through a statement on X, despite Starlink previously indicating to the telecommunications regulator that it would not comply until the order was reversed.
"Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil," the company statement said. "We continue to pursue all legal avenues, as are others who agree that @alexandre's recent order violate the Brazilian constitution."
The order to freeze Starlink’s assets came from Justice Moraes last week, as part of enforcement actions aimed at getting the company to pay fines incurred by X, which total over $3 million. Both companies are considered by the authorities to be part of the same economic entity. Following this, Starlink appealed the asset freeze, with its representatives from Veirano law firm confirming this action to the Associated Press on August 30, though declining further comments thereafter.
Subsequently, Moraes issued an order to suspend X for its failure to appoint a local legal representative in Brazil, which is necessary for receiving legal notices and carrying out judicial orders promptly, particularly concerning account suspensions. A Supreme Court panel supported this suspension unanimously on Monday.
The blocking of X follows tensions between the platform and Justice Moraes, particularly over X’s hesitation to block accounts, primarily of individuals identified as far-right activists and supporters of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro. X has argued that appointing a local legal representative is a tactic for Brazilian authorities to have leverage, potentially leading to arrests. Musk, who has been vocally critical of Moraes, described him as a "criminal" on X, posting, "This evil tyrant is a disgrace to judges' robes," along with a picture of Moraes about 17 hours before Starlink's compliance was made public.
Musk has not made any more public statements regarding Starlink’s operations in Brazil following the compliance announcement.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
"Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil," the company statement said. "We continue to pursue all legal avenues, as are others who agree that @alexandre's recent order violate the Brazilian constitution."
The order to freeze Starlink’s assets came from Justice Moraes last week, as part of enforcement actions aimed at getting the company to pay fines incurred by X, which total over $3 million. Both companies are considered by the authorities to be part of the same economic entity. Following this, Starlink appealed the asset freeze, with its representatives from Veirano law firm confirming this action to the Associated Press on August 30, though declining further comments thereafter.
Subsequently, Moraes issued an order to suspend X for its failure to appoint a local legal representative in Brazil, which is necessary for receiving legal notices and carrying out judicial orders promptly, particularly concerning account suspensions. A Supreme Court panel supported this suspension unanimously on Monday.
The blocking of X follows tensions between the platform and Justice Moraes, particularly over X’s hesitation to block accounts, primarily of individuals identified as far-right activists and supporters of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro. X has argued that appointing a local legal representative is a tactic for Brazilian authorities to have leverage, potentially leading to arrests. Musk, who has been vocally critical of Moraes, described him as a "criminal" on X, posting, "This evil tyrant is a disgrace to judges' robes," along with a picture of Moraes about 17 hours before Starlink's compliance was made public.
Musk has not made any more public statements regarding Starlink’s operations in Brazil following the compliance announcement.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
