Brazil Government Implementing Daily Fines for X Users Using App

Brazil’s highest court has declared that any individual found using a VPN to access the app will face a daily fine of up to $8,874.

The nation is the most recent to prohibit the use of the social media platform, following its implementation on August 31. This decision was made after Elon Musk refused to appoint a legal representative, as their feud continues.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes of Brazil has alleged that Musk’s platform is being utilized to disseminate defamatory false information. The ban will continue unless the owner of X complies with the stipulated demands.

Henceforth, Brazilian citizens will be prohibited from accessing the social media platform and will be subject to substantial penalties if caught using a VPN to circumvent the prohibition.

Brazil’s Supreme Court will issue fines up to $8,874/day to anyone using a VPN to access Twitter/X pic.twitter.com/PH16KlqH7i

— dexerto (@dexerto) August 30, 2024

Jorge Messias, Brazil’s attorney general, personally shared a statement (available on his Twitter account) addressing the ban and emphasizing the urgency to “regulate”social networks.

It is unacceptable for foreign billionaires to hold power over social media platforms and disregard court orders, thereby jeopardizing our legal system and authorities.

Musk has not wavered in his stance on the issue, labeling Alexandre as “Brazil’s Voldemort”and denouncing the ban as a form of censorship and an attack on freedom of expression.

After the ban, the Tesla CEO became furious and continued to post on X about Brazil and Alexandre, while also demanding an end to the “oppressive regime”.

At one point, Musk retweeted a post that highlighted the fact that citizens in Brazil could face fines for accessing X that were more than 528% of their monthly income.

According to Musk’s statement, the Brazilian government is so fearful of the truth being revealed to the public that they will financially ruin anyone who attempts to do so.

It is currently uncertain how Brazil’s Supreme Court plans to identify VPNs that are utilized to reach X, or how the penalties will be implemented.