Brazil’s Supreme Court has imposed significant penalties on X, the social media platform, following its refusal to comply with court orders issued by Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
The court’s recent ruling mandates that X pay 8.1 million Brazilian reais ($1.4 million) for not providing registration data for an account linked to misinformation spread by an ally of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
This decision highlights ongoing tensions between social media companies and Brazilian authorities regarding the regulation of content and accountability.
Justice de Moraes previously mandated X and Meta to block and ban the controversial account, along with the requirement to deliver user data.
Despite X’s claims that it could not provide the requested information due to technical limitations, these arguments were dismissed by the court, leading to escalating daily fines for noncompliance. X eventually opted to appeal the ruling but ultimately indicated it would proceed with paying the fine as ordered.
This case underscores broader debates around free speech, misinformation, and the responsibilities of social media platforms in Brazil. It also reflects the contentious relationship between Elon Musk, the owner of X, and Brazilian authorities, particularly as they navigate the intersection of technology and law.