X to close operations in Brazil due to "censorship orders"

Media platform X said on Saturday it would close its operations in Brazil “effective immediately” due to what it called “censorship orders” from Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes.

X claims Moraes secretly threatened one of its legal representatives in Brazil with arrest if it did not comply with legal orders to take down some content from its platform. Brazil’s Supreme Court, where Moraes has a seat, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The X service remains available to the people of Brazil, billionaire Elon Musk’s platform said on Saturday.

X, formerly known as Twitter, is a social media platform that allows users to share short messages, called “tweets,” with their followers. Founded in 2006, Twitter was a popular platform for real-time information sharing, news, and discussions. However, after Elon Musk’s acquisition in October 2022, the platform underwent significant changes. Musk, who rebranded the platform as “X,” aimed to transform it into a more open and inclusive space, promoting free speech and reducing moderation.

Under Musk’s leadership, X has introduced several changes, including increased character limits, algorithmic feed options, and a new verification system. Musk has also relaxed moderation policies, allowing for more controversial content to surface. Additionally, he has introduced a subscription-based model, X Premium, offering users additional features and perks. While these changes have been met with both enthusiasm and criticism, Musk’s vision for X is to create a platform that fosters open discussion, creativity, and innovation, while also addressing concerns around censorship and user experience.