Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered social media platform X, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, to pay a fine of 8.1 million reais ($1.42 million) for failing to comply with judicial directives. The ruling, issued by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, was made public on Thursday, according to a Reuters report.
The case stems from a legal dispute that began last year when Brazil’s highest court directed X to remove a specific profile accused of spreading misinformation. Additionally, the court mandated that the platform provide the registration data of the account in question.
X’s failure to comply triggered a daily fine of 100,000 reais. The court also warned that the company’s local legal representative could face criminal liability due to continued noncompliance.
X Ordered To Settle Fine Immediately
Justice Moraes, in his decision, underscored X’s refusal to hand over the requested user information, ordering the company to settle the outstanding fine immediately. While the ruling reinforces Brazil’s strict stance on misinformation and digital accountability, it also raises questions about how global tech platforms handle local legal requirements.
X’s legal representatives in Brazil have declined to comment on the ruling, reported Reuters. The company has not yet publicly addressed whether it plans to contest the fine or comply with the court order.
Not X’s First Clash
This is not the first time X has clashed with Brazilian authorities. In 2024, the platform was temporarily suspended in Latin America’s largest economy for over a month. The suspension was a result of X failing to comply with court orders related to moderating hate speech. Additionally, the company had not appointed a legal representative in Brazil, a legal requirement for operating in the country.
Brazil has been actively tightening regulations on social media platforms in an effort to combat misinformation, online abuse, and hate speech. This latest ruling underscores the increasing scrutiny faced by tech companies operating in the region and signals the government’s determination to hold platforms accountable for content moderation and transparency.
