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Brazil's Supreme Court, in a vote on September 2, 2024, decided to uphold the suspension of the social network X (formerly known as ‘Twitter’). The ruling extends an initial July 2024 suspension authorized by the court for violating Brazilian data privacy laws by Elon Musk’s X. The ruling represents a high point in Brazil's efforts to implement data privacy laws and regulate technology platforms operating within its borders.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also endorsed the move by Judge Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Court to suspend X. The judge found that X allowed postings of hate messages and falsehoods about the country's electronic voting system that undermined Brazil's democracy.
Notably, satellite broadband Starlink, owned by Space X, has claimed that it will not abide by the regulatory measures by Brazil regarding the suspension of X. The same day, Starlink had filed an appeal against such a suspension claiming that the ruling was unjust and injurious to their service, weakening their operations in Brazil. This in turn cements the current crusade between Brazil's regulating authorities and major technological companies.
The move by the Supreme Court has elicited mixed reactions. While proponents argue that this is a much-needed measure to enforce standards for data protection and retain regulatory authority, critics warn of the consequence this may pose on digital freedom and the larger tech industry as a whole.
Non-compliance by Starlink may further lead to legal and regulatory action by Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency, Anatel. This may be considered a representative case of the difficulties global tech companies have to face while trying to align themselves with diversified national regulations.
These issues do come with serious consequences for the Brazilian and international tech communities to define a way forward. How Brazil can sort these conflicts out will likely set precedents for global tech regulation and major tech companies like Elon Musk’s X.
