In a bold move, satellite internet provider Starlink has announced that it will not comply with a recent court order from Brazil to block the social media platform X. This decision comes amidst ongoing legal disputes surrounding the platform's operations in the country.
On Monday, Brazil's telecommunications regulator, Anatel, confirmed Starlink's refusal and forwarded the company's stance to the Supreme Court of Brazil. The Supreme Court is now set to review the matter further.
Last week, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered all telecom providers in Brazil to shut down X, citing the platform's lack of a legal representative within the country. This directive also led to the freezing of Starlink's bank accounts in Brazil, an action that has raised eyebrows among the tech community and business enthusiasts alike.
The account freeze is connected to a separate issue involving unpaid fines that X was required to settle after failing to submit necessary documents. In response, Elon Musk, the head of SpaceX—the parent company of Starlink—criticized Justice Moraes' decision, emphasizing the impact of the freeze on the company's operations.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court is expected to deliberate on whether to uphold Justice Moraes' ruling. Legal experts suggest that the panel is likely to affirm the decision, although the Supreme Court has yet to make an official statement on the matter.
This development highlights the ongoing tension between regulatory authorities and tech companies in Brazil, a key player in the G20 nations. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how it will affect the broader landscape of digital services and internet governance in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com