Starlink’s local bank accounts have been suspended as X prepares to close in Brazil
A judge in Brazil has blocked Starlink’s bank accounts in the country amid a deep dispute with X. The move comes as a High Court judge threatened to ban X from the country, and is a direct response to the ongoing legal battle with the telecommunications company, Reuters .
X owner Elon Musk has been at loggerheads with Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes for months over demands to close certain accounts in the country. The company is operating in Brazil earlier this month due to court orders, which X has as “censorship orders.”
Now, Moraes is apparently trying to use one of Musk’s companies, Starlink-owned SpaceX, in an effort to get X to comply with the court order. “This order is based on an unfounded decision that Starlink should be liable for the fine levied – unconstitutionally – against X,” Starlink wrote. in X. “It was issued in secret and without giving Starlink any due process of law guaranteed by the Brazilian Constitution. We are determined to resolve this matter legally.”
Moraes also threatened to ban X completely from the country. On Wednesday, the judge said that X will be in Brazil if they do not appoint a lawyer in the country. UX said in an update on Thursday, shortly after that deadline passed, that it “soon” expects Moraes to order the closure.
“We do not at all assert that other countries have free speech laws similar to those of the United States,” the company wrote published in English and Portuguese. “The main issue that is being discussed here is that Judge de Moraes wants us to break Brazilian laws. We will not do that.” The company said it plans to publish “Moraes’ illegal demands and everything related to the court” in the coming days.
