Politics Legal dispute in Brazil: Musk's X platform partially relents

Following the shutdown of the short messaging platform X in Brazil, tech billionaire Elon Musk's company has partially relented and appointed a legal representative in the South American country. However, federal judge Alexandre de Moraes demanded further documents and set the platform - formerly known as Twitter - a deadline of five days to submit documents for the appointment of lawyer Rachel Villa Nova Conceição as X's legal representative in Brazil.

Among other things, he requested a power of attorney from the lawyer for X in Brazil and proof of her proper registration with the Chamber of Commerce of the State of São Paulo, according to the decision of the Supreme Federal Court.

Moraes had ordered the online service to be shut down at the end of August. Prior to this, X had allowed a court-ordered deadline to appoint a legal representative to expire. The company also refused to block the accounts of right-wing activists who spread conspiracy theories and false information. The Supreme Federal Court later collected a fine of 18.35 million reais (2.98 million euros) from the bank accounts of X and Musk's internet company Starlink.

The entrepreneur had the office in Brazil closed in mid-August on the grounds that he feared the former representative would be arrested due to the legal dispute over the right-wing X accounts. The lawyer now appointed had already represented the company before the office in Brazil was closed.

Musk, who has been a prominent supporter of Republican ex-President Donald Trump in the US election campaign for some time, always presents himself as a defender of freedom of speech. He accused Moraes of attacking freedom of expression and described him as an "evil dictator". The federal judge had already opened an investigation against Musk himself in April for obstruction of justice and incitement to commit crimes.

SDA