Florida Republicans are accusing Brazilian officials of undermining free speech as Elon Musk’s X is permanently banned from the country.
X was definitively blocked for Brazilian internet users after Musk refused to collaborate with the Brazilian justice system’s prosecution of X’s free speech policies.
Brazil's top court, led by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, upheld Moraes' unilateral decision late last week to ban X from the country.
Brazilian internet users who access X by disguising their IP address, through tools such as VPNs, could be fined hundreds of dollars.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva commended the Brazilian courts, adding that Brazil did not have to put up with Musk’s ‘far-right’ politics.
“The Brazilian justice system may have given an important signal that the world is not obliged to put up with Musk’s extreme right-wing anything goes just because he is rich,” said President Lula.
The Musk-Brazil feud derives from X’s refusal to accept content moderation measures Brazil’s government ordered X to adopt.
Floridian conservative politicians have condemned X’s ban, comparing Brazil’s practices to those of authoritarian states.
“What does Brazil have in common with China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela,” said Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL). “While they all ban X, Brazil is the only one fining citizens for using VPNs.”
Similarly, US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) lamented the court’s decision, claiming it was representative of a broader censorship trend.
“From fining individuals and private entities who seek information on X, to imposing legal censorship, the people of Brazil are facing serious crackdowns for simply engaging on a social media platform,” said Senator Rubio. “For the sake of basic freedoms and our bilateral relationship, Brazil should rectify this authoritarian move.”
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) also condemned the ban, calling it “a complete assault on free speech.”
X’s Brazil ban is expected to continue unless Musk complies with the court’s orders.
