Elon Musk's X backtracks, will comply with Brazil court order to ban certain accounts

Edited By: Moohita Kaur Garg
Brasilia, Brazil Updated: Apr 16, 2024, 03:31 PM(IST)

The letter which was seen by news agency Reuters marks a dramatic change in X's (formerly Twitter) stance. Just last week, the company's Brazilian unit in a separate document sent to the justice had said it was unable to control the US-based company's willingness to comply with the Brazilian court's orders. Photograph:( Reuters )

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In a letter addressed to Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, lawyers for the social media giant said: "As already communicated to the federal police, X Brasil informs that all orders issued by this Supreme Court and the Superior Electoral Court will continue to be fully complied with by X Corp"

Elon Musk's X has backtracked on its earlier protests regarding Brazil's orders to block certain accounts. On Monday (Apr 15), lawyers for X told the Brazil Supreme Court that the social media company will comply with every ruling issued by the court or the nation's top electoral court.

Letter to the court

In a letter addressed to Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, lawyers for the social media giant said: "As already communicated to the federal police, X Brasil informs that all orders issued by this Supreme Court and the Superior Electoral Court will continue to be fully complied with by X Corp."

The letter which was seen by news agency Reuters marks a dramatic change in X's (formerly Twitter) stance. Just last week, the company's Brazilian unit in a separate document sent to the justice had said it was unable to control the US-based company's willingness to comply with the Brazilian court's orders.

Also read | Elon Musk under inquiry after defying Brazil judge's 'unconstitutional' order to block certain X accounts

Elon Musk's protest against Brazil's order

X owner, Elon Musk, too had criticised the order to block certain accounts in the South American country. A self-proclaimed speech absolutist, Musk had called for the reversal of all restrictions imposed by Moraes, calling them "unconstitutional". He had also called for the Justice's resignation.

On X, challenging the Supreme Court justice's order, Musk had alleged that the judge had "betrayed the constitution and the people of Brazil."

Calling for Moraes' resignation, Musk said, "This judge has brazenly and repeatedly betrayed the constitution and people of Brazil. He should resign or be impeached. Shame @Alexandre, shame."

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For Musk's defiance, the Brazilian judge, on April 7, even opened an inquiry into Musk over charges of obstruction of justice.

Also read | Elon Musk set to meet PM Modi amid speculations of Tesla's investment in India

"X shall refrain from disobeying any court order already issued, including performing any profile reactivation that has been blocked by this Supreme Court," said Justice Moraes. Musk and X also faced a fine amounting to 100,000 reais ($19,740) per day, if they failed to block certain accounts. 

(With inputs from agencies)

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