Social media giant X, previously known as Twitter, is closing its local operations in Brazil due to a legal dispute with Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes. The platform’s owner, Elon Musk, announced the decision on Saturday, citing concerns over the safety of their staff.
Despite the closure of the office, the service will continue to be available to Brazilian users. The legal battle stemmed from Moraes’ efforts to combat the spread of disinformation online, prompting the suspension of several Twitter accounts.
Musk criticized Moraes for censorship orders and accused him of threatening their legal representative in Brazil. The CEO emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and hinted at a crackdown on free speech in the country.
Moraes, who leads the fight against disinformation in Brazil, has clashed with critics over his actions. He declared former president Jair Bolsonaro ineligible to run for office due to spreading false information about the electoral system.
In response to the legal challenges, Musk emphasized that principles matter more than profit, signaling a commitment to upholding values over financial gains.