The Supreme Federal Court in Brazil has blocked the short message service X (formerly Twitter) – and rightly so. Because Big Tech’s freedom to do as it pleases should finally come to an end. Especially when company bosses like Elon Musk interfere in the politics of other countries and undermine democracies. A commentary.
Elon Musk has already achieved great things in his life: he has revolutionized the automotive industry, launched rockets into space and created the world’s largest satellite internet network with Starlink.
But since taking over Twitter, Musk’s megalomania has not only seemed to be getting out of hand. One also has to ask oneself whether this man, given his mental state, should still be responsible for anything – be it for employees, shareholders or corporate compliance with laws. But let’s start from the beginning.
Brazil blocks Twitter – and does the right thing!
Elon Musk has been in conflict with the Brazilian judiciary for some time now. Now it has escalated. The Supreme Federal Court in Brazil has blocked the short message service X (formerly Twitter) nationwide.
The background: Brazil had imposed a fine of around 2.9 million euros on the company because the platform had done too little to combat misinformation and hate speech – especially in connection with the electoral system and elections in Brazil.
Federal judge Alexandre de Moraes has therefore ordered the blocking of some accounts. He also asked Musk to name a legal representative as a contact person – this is required by Brazilian law. However, the company missed all deadlines.
Judge Moraes then ordered the nationwide blocking of the short message service. The court chamber has Verdict has now been confirmed. Platform X is now blocked in Brazil until the company meets the demands. And Elon Musk?
No more fool’s license for the rich and Big Tech
You could have guessed it; they shout “censorship” and rant about a blow against freedom of speech – yes, the populist toolbox is small. But that freedom of speech also has its limits, for example when rights and laws are affected and entails responsibility? Never mind!
The Pavel Durov case has already shown that courts are needed to put an end to the freedom of Big Tech and billionaires like Elon Musk to act foolishly. Musk has already proven once again that federal judge Alexandre de Moraes was spot on in his decision to block Twitter in Brazil.
The SpaceX boss is refusing to implement the ruling on his satellite internet network Starlink. In doing so, he is once again defying the laws and rules of another country. Admittedly, the Brazilian judiciary had previously made a controversial decision and froze SpaceX’s bank accounts in order to put pressure on X.
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However, the case shows that Elon Musk will apparently use any means to ignore the law. It should be clear that companies that offer their services or products in other countries must also be held responsible for them – regardless of where the company is based. Brazil would therefore do well to put Musk in his place!
Notice: This article is a commentary. This is a journalistic form of presentation that explicitly reflects the opinion of the author and not of the entire magazine. The commentary does not claim to be objective, but is intended to stimulate opinion-forming and is to be viewed as an opinion piece by Article 5 of the Basic Law.
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