Elon Musk of X (formerly Twitter) is being investigated by the Brazilian Supreme Court for allegedly obstructing justice, after ignoring the Supreme Court's orders
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Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes has announced that he will include Elon Musk in the investigation into the spread of fake news on Twitter (formerly X), and that he will also open a separate investigation into Musk for alleged obstruction of justice.
Elon Musk to be investigated over fake news and obstruction in Brazil | AP News
https://apnews.com/article/brazil-musk-x-supreme-court-investigation-a645757b95a66ee658832802908466ab
Brazil Supreme Court justice opens inquiry into Elon Musk
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/08/brazil-supreme-court-justice-opens-inquiry-into-elon-musk-.html
Elon Musk faces Brazil inquiry after defying X court order | Elon Musk | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/apr/08/elon-musk-brazil-x-jair-bolsonaro
On April 6, 2024, the Brazilian Supreme Court ordered X to block certain accounts. X initially announced that 'the court's decision has forced us to block certain popular accounts in Brazil,' and that 'we have been threatened with daily fines if we do not comply,' but explained that it was unclear why the block order was issued or which posts violated the law. Therefore, X stated that it would appeal against the Supreme Court's order.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, stated that he would not comply with the Supreme Court's block order, saying, 'Such heavy-handed measures violate the laws of Brazil and the will of the people, ' and ' We will lift all blocks that were targeted this time .' He went on to say, 'It is forbidden to say which court or judge issued this order, and on what basis,' and revealed that the order was issued by Alexandre de Moraes, and launched a scathing criticism, saying, 'This judge has repeatedly betrayed the Brazilian Constitution and the people. He should immediately resign or be impeached. Shame on him.'
Elon Musk challenges Brazilian Supreme Court decision ordering blocking of certain accounts on X (formerly Twitter) - GIGAZINE
In response to Musk's response, Judge Moraes said that Musk had launched a 'disinformation campaign' regarding the Supreme Court's order and criticized his response. In particular, he said that Musk would not comply with the Supreme Court's order, saying that he would 'unblock all of the blocks that were targeted in this case.'
According to Judge Moraes' new ruling, Musk will be added to 'an existing investigation into 'digital militias' that are allegedly spreading fake news and threats to attack Brazil's democratic institutions. In addition, Musk will be the subject of a new investigation into his alleged involvement in obstruction, criminal organization and sedition.'
Judge Moraes also criticized Musk's response, saying, 'The flagrant obstruction of justice against Brazil, the incitement to crime, the public threats that the court will not comply with orders, and the lack of future cooperation from the platforms are a disregard for Brazilian sovereignty.'
According to court documents, X will be fined 100,000 reals (approximately 3 million yen) per day for each account that it unblocks in defiance of the Brazilian Supreme Court's order. Judge Moraes wrote in the court documents that 'social media is not a lawless place.'
The Associated Press reported, 'Right-wing voices in Brazil are saying that Judge Moraes's crackdown on freedom of speech and political persecution has long since gone too far. In fact, an investigation into digital militias led by Judge Moraes has led to the investigation of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and the imprisonment of lawmakers who support him.'
Moraes has long supported restrictions in Brazil aimed at preventing the spread of harmful content and misinformation online. He has faced backlash from a range of groups, including tech companies, the country's far-right officials and former President Jair Bolsonaro.
When far-right former President Bolsonaro lost the presidential election in October 2022, he claimed that there was fraud in the voting results. After that, supporters of former President Bolsonaro broke into the Federal Congress, Supreme Court, and Presidential Palace buildings in Brasilia and carried out vandalism in the ' 2023 Brazil's Three Powers Square Attack ,' and former President Bolsonaro is under investigation for plotting a coup.
The number of posts claiming 'election fraud' on Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc. increased dramatically before and after the Brazilian Capitol attack - GIGAZINE
Musk reportedly visited former President Bolsonaro in May 2022, just before Brazil's presidential election, to discuss the idea of using SpaceX's satellite internet service, Starlink, in schools deep in the Amazon. SpaceX obtained permission to provide Starlink in Brazil during former President Bolsonaro's term in office, and former President Bolsonaro also praised Musk's plan to acquire Twitter (now X) as a 'breath of hope,' pointing out that the two had a deep relationship.
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