Thursday, 24 April 2025
29.8 C
Singapore
31.5 C
Thailand
25 C
Indonesia
28.7 C
Philippines

Starlink’s bank accounts frozen as Brazil threatens to shut down X

Tensions escalate as Brazil's Supreme Court orders Starlink's bank accounts frozen and threatens to shut down X over ongoing legal disputes.

A legal dispute in Brazil has escalated, with a Supreme Court judge ordering the freezing of Starlink’s bank accounts amid ongoing tensions with X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk. This development comes as Judge Alexandre de Moraes threatens to shut down X in the country, a move that has sparked controversy and raised questions about censorship and legal boundaries.

Tensions rise between Elon Musk and Brazil’s Supreme Court

The conflict between Elon Musk and Judge Alexandre de Moraes has been intensifying for months. The issue’s core lies in Judge de Moraes’ demand for X to block certain accounts in Brazil. Musk, however, views these demands as an infringement on free speech, calling them “censorship orders.” The legal wrangling has reached a new peak, with X recently closing its operations in Brazil earlier this month in direct response to these court orders.

In what appears to be a new tactic, Judge de Moraes is now targeting Starlink, another company owned by Musk under SpaceX. The judge has linked Starlink to the penalties imposed on X, which the company claims are unconstitutional. Starlink has responded strongly, stating in a post on X, “This order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines levied—unconstitutionally—against X. It was issued in secret and without affording Starlink any of the due process of law guaranteed by the Constitution of Brazil. We intend to address the matter legally.”

Judge threatens to shut down X in Brazil

Judge de Moraes has also threatened a total shutdown of X in Brazil if the company does not appoint a legal representative in the country. On Wednesday, he set a compliance deadline, warning of severe consequences if X fails to meet the requirement. As of Thursday, after the deadline had passed, X indicated it expected the judge to proceed with the shutdown order soon.

In response, X released a statement published in both English and Portuguese, clarifying its position. “We are absolutely not insisting that other countries have the same free speech laws as the United States,” the statement read. “The fundamental issue at stake here is that Judge de Moraes demands we break Brazil’s own laws. We simply won’t do that.” The company further announced its intention to disclose what it referred to as “illegal demands and all related court filings” made by Judge de Moraes in the near future.

The ongoing feud between Elon Musk’s companies and the Brazilian judiciary has significant implications. If Judge de Moraes follows through with his threat to shut down X, it could set a precedent for how international tech companies navigate legal disputes and censorship laws in different countries. Starlink’s involvement adds another layer of complexity, broadening the dispute beyond social media into satellite internet services.

Musk and his companies have yet to indicate their next steps, but they are clearly preparing for a prolonged legal battle. As both sides dig in, the outcome could have far-reaching consequences for both X and Starlink and tech companies operating globally under varied legal systems.

Hot this week

Famed AI researcher starts bold new company aiming to replace human jobs

AI expert launches Mechanize, a startup aiming to replace all human jobs with AI, sparking backlash and deep concern across the tech world.

Enterprises accelerate adoption of AI agents despite concerns over data privacy and fairness

Cloudera survey finds 96% of global enterprises plan to expand AI agents, with Singapore leading adoption but facing fairness concerns.

Judge says Google broke antitrust laws in adtech market

A judge ruled that Google broke antitrust laws in the ad tech market, possibly leading to a breakup or new restrictions on its advertising business.

Apple’s iPhone sales drop in China amid growing trade tensions

Apple’s iPhone sales in China fell 9% as local brands grew, and trade tensions created more uncertainty for the smartphone market.

GitLab announces general availability of GitLab Duo with Amazon Q

GitLab announces the general availability of GitLab Duo with Amazon Q, combining DevSecOps and AI to accelerate secure software development.

POCO launches entry-level C71 smartphone in Singapore with premium features

POCO launches the budget-friendly C71 smartphone in Singapore, offering premium design, enhanced cameras, and smooth performance at S$109.

NVIDIA uses AI to address climate, wildlife and disaster risks

NVIDIA’s AI tools support climate action, wildlife monitoring, and disaster risk mitigation, with uses spanning sea, land, sky and space.

Netflix raises subscription prices in Singapore again

Netflix again raises subscription prices in Singapore, with new rates for all plans and extra member slots.

GameMax unveils Blade Concept ATX case with bold design and powerful features

GameMax launches the Blade Concept ATX case, which features a striking blade design, RGB lighting, and support for high-end liquid-cooled PC builds.

Related Articles

Popular Categories