Brazilians might be able to still use X with the help of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites.
Brazil’s Supreme Court banned the social media site Monday, ordering all internet service providers in the country to issue a “comprehensive” blackout of the app or face legal consequences. So most Brazilian X users can’t access it.
However, soon after the X order, Mr. Musk announced that X users in Brazil could access the site through Starlink’s satellite internet service. Starlink has around 250,000 customers in Brazil, and X has millions of users in the country.
Brazil responded to Starlink’s open defiance of its ban by freezing the company’s Brazilian bank accounts, making it impossible for the company to do business in the country. Mr. Musk blasted the asset freeze, calling it illegal and promising to offer free internet access to all Starlink customers until the ban is lifted.
Starlink’s refusal to follow the Brazilian Supreme Court’s order could get Brazilians in trouble. According to the ruling, any Brazilian caught using X through a VPN or Starlink could be charged a $9,000 fine.
X’s ban in the country is the latest in a feud between Brazil’s highest court and Mr. Musk that began earlier this year. Brazilian Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered X to ban or restrict several accounts tied to former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for spreading information the court doesn’t like.
Mr. Musk rejected the order, calling the justice a tyrant who doesn’t respect free speech.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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