Elon Musk’s conflict with Brazil over censorship on X has spilled over to SpaceX’s Starlink services in the country.
On Thrusday, August 29, 2024, Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexander Moraes blocked Starlink’s financial accounts in Brazil, meaning SpaceX could not receive payment for its satellite internet services. Through an X post, Starlink responded by stating that the sanction was issued “in secret and without affording Starlink any of the due process of law guaranteed by the constitution of Brazil.”
Elon Musk has since announced that Starlink will continue offering free internet services in Brazil.
“Many remote schools and hospitals depend on SpaceX’s Starlink! SpaceX will provide internet service to users in Brazil for free until this matter is resolved, as we cannot receive payment, but don’t want to cut anyone off,” Musk posted on X.
According to a Reuters source, Moraes decided to sanction Starlink because X lacked legal representatives in Brazil. On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Judge Moraes ordered Musk to name a legal representative for X in Brazil within 24 hours, or the social media site would face suspension. Elon Musk called out the Brazilian Supreme Court judge calling Moraes “an outright criminal of the worst kind, masquerading as a judge.”
The conflict between X and Brazil allegedly started when the former was asked to censor or suspend certain accounts on the social media platform. According to Elon Musk X was asked to suspend the account of some sitting members of the Brazilian parliament and many journalists.
The conflict reached the Brazilian Supreme Court, where Judge Moraes ordered X to follow through with the restrictions. X complied with Moraes’ order at first, but later decided to lift all restrictions.
In April 2024, the Brazilian government suspended all contracts with SpaceX, presumably in response to X lifting restrictions. However, Starlink continues to provide free internet to schools in Brazil. The following month, SpaceX provided free Starlink terminals after a deadly flood hit Rio Grande do Sul.
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