Elon Musk’s satellite broadband firm, Starlink, has agreed to comply with a Brazilian Supreme Court order to block access to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in the country. This compliance came a day after Starlink initially informed Brazil’s telecom regulator, Anatel, that it would not adhere to the order, highlighting a complex legal battle between Musk’s enterprises and Brazilian authorities.
The dispute began when Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the freezing of Starlink’s accounts in Brazil. This action was aimed at securing funds that may be used to pay fines owed by X, another company owned by Musk. Moraes had previously ordered all telecom providers in Brazil to block access to X due to the platform’s failure to have a legal representative in the country, a decision later upheld by a panel of Supreme Court justices. As of last week, X has been blocked in Brazil, but some users have continued to access the service using VPNs and other methods.
In a post on X, Starlink, which serves over 200,000 customers in Brazil, expressed its compliance with the court’s directive despite describing the freezing of its assets as “illegal treatment.” The company stated, “Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing of our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil.” Starlink’s announcement of compliance marks a significant turnaround, as Anatel had been initially informed by Starlink that it would not follow Moraes’ order for all internet providers to restrict domestic access to the platform.
However, Anatel confirmed on Tuesday that Starlink had reversed its stance and informed the regulator that it would proceed with the blocking order within hours. The regulator also verified that Starlink has already started to cut access to X in Brazil, signaling the company’s acknowledgment of the court’s authority despite its ongoing legal challenges.
Starlink’s legal entanglement in Brazil began earlier this year when Moraes ordered X to block accounts implicated in spreading false information and hate speech. Musk criticized this directive, labeling it as an act of censorship. In response, he closed X’s offices in Brazil in mid-August, although the platform remained accessible until Moraes enforced the shutdown.
Starlink, in its legal fight, has initiated proceedings in the Brazilian Supreme Court to challenge what it describes as the “gross illegality” of Moraes’ order. The company argues that the judge’s recent orders, which include the freezing of its finances and blocking its ability to conduct financial transactions in Brazil, violate the Brazilian constitution. Starlink emphasized its commitment to pursuing all available legal avenues and stated that it is not alone, as others also oppose the judge’s rulings.
Despite these legal maneuvers, Starlink missed the deadline to present a new appeal against the decision to freeze its accounts. As of Tuesday, it remains unclear what legal strategies the company will employ to request the overturn of the asset freeze.
The unfolding legal confrontation between Starlink, X, and Brazilian authorities underscores broader tensions between Musk’s business operations and regulatory frameworks worldwide. While Musk has positioned himself as a champion of free speech, often criticizing government actions that he views as overreach, the Brazilian courts have maintained their stance on enforcing compliance with national laws and regulations.
This dispute illustrates the challenges faced by global tech companies in navigating complex legal landscapes and balancing their corporate policies with national judicial mandates. As the situation develops, it will be pivotal to observe how both Starlink and X adapt to Brazil’s legal environment and the broader implications this may have on Musk’s ventures in the region.
