Brazilian Supreme Court Imposes Daily Fine Of $9, 000 For Using Vpns To Access X (Formerly Twitter)

— written by Sanju on Sept. 2, 2024, 10:40 a.m.

The Brazilian Supreme Court has imposed a substantial daily fine of nearly $9,000 on individuals and entities using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access the social media platform X. The platform, formerly known as Twitter, was recently banned across Brazil due to its failure to comply with local laws, particularly regarding the spread of disinformation and a lack of legal representation within the country. This ruling marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Brazil’s judiciary and Elon Musk, the owner of X.

Source: Google Search

Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a prominent figure in Brazil’s Supreme Court, issued the ruling, citing X's repeated violations of Brazilian regulations. The platform was accused of facilitating the spread of disinformation, which has been a major concern for Brazilian authorities, especially in the context of maintaining democratic integrity. In response to these violations, the court ordered the suspension of X and mandated that Brazilian telecom agencies enforce the ban nationwid(Source).

Source: Google Search

However, many users attempted to bypass the ban by using VPNs, which allow internet traffic to be rerouted through servers in different locations, effectively masking the user’s actual location. To counter this, Justice Moraes introduced the severe penalty of 50,000 reais (approximately $9,000) per day for anyone caught using VPNs to access X. This fine is particularly harsh in Brazil, where the average annual salary is about 35,748 reais, making it a significant deterrent.

The conflict with X is part of a broader struggle between the Brazilian government and global tech platforms over regulatory compliance. Brazil, with its population of nearly 200 million, has been a significant market for X, ranking among the top countries in app downloads. The platform’s non-compliance and subsequent ban are seen as a direct challenge to Musk's vision of an unrestricted digital public square.

Source: Google Search

Elon Musk has publicly criticized the court’s decision, framing it as an attack on free speech. He accused the Brazilian judiciary of undermining democratic principles by restricting the flow of information. In addition to the fines for VPN use, the court has also frozen the financial accounts of Starlink, another Musk-owned venture in Brazil, in an attempt to collect previous fines imposed on X. Despite these challenges, Starlink is considering offering its services for free in Brazil as it seeks legal remedies to challenge the court’s orders.

This situation highlights the growing tension between global tech companies and national authorities, especially in countries like Brazil, where the regulation of digital platforms is becoming increasingly stringent. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for how tech giants operate in jurisdictions with strict regulatory environments.

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