Brazil's Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the social media platform X to be blocked nationwide after the company refused to appoint a legal representative in the country.
Earlier on Wednesday, de Moraes gave X, owned by Elon Musk, a 24-hour deadline to designate a representative. X shut down its Brazil office on August 17, claiming that there were threats to detain its former legal representative.
X had been in conflict with de Moraes for months over the platform's refusal to comply with court orders to remove profiles that promote coup-related content or undermine democracy, Xinhua news agency reported.
On Friday, the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) also ordered X to pay fines amounting to 18 million reais (about $3.2 million) for non-compliance.
The judge justified the block decision, citing the company's repeated, willful defiance of court orders and refusal to pay daily fines, accusing X of attempting to bypass Brazil's legal system and create a "lawless zone" on social media, especially in the lead-up to the 2024 municipal elections.
De Moraes added that X has facilitated "the actions of extremist groups and digital militias, enabling the spread of Nazi, racist, fascist, hateful, and anti-democratic speech", particularly ahead of the upcoming elections.
The Brazilian judge also instructed the country's National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) to block access to X within 24 hours. Apple and Google have been given five days to remove the X app from their online stores.
Additionally, a daily fine of 50,000 reais (about $10,000) was imposed on any individual or company that uses methods such as VPNs to access X after the ban.
Israel launches preemptive strikes on Iran, major explosion heard in Tehran
Israel launched major airstrikes against Iran in the early hours of Friday morning, significantly escalating tensions in the region and raising the specter of a broader conflict between the long-standing rivals.
Bangladesh should rein in terrorists: India after vandalisation of Tagore's ancestral home
India on Thursday strongly condemned the vandalisation of the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore - historically called the Rabindra Kachharibari - in the Sirajganj district of Bangladesh,
Russian President Putin, other world leaders express grief over Ahmedabad plane crash
Condolences from leaders across the world continue to pour in for the people affected after an Air India flight bound for London, carrying over 240 passengers, crashed shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon.
Scenes emerging of London-bound plane crashing in Ahmedabad devastating: British PM
Several global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on Thursday expressed shock and grief after an Air India flight bound for London, carrying over 240 passengers crashed shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport,
EAM Jaishankar meets Macron, thanks French President for backing India's fight against terrorism
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Thursday called on French President Emmanuel Macron during his official visit to France, conveying greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressing gratitude for France's support in India's fight against terrorism.
US on high alert over possible Israeli strike on Iran: Reports
The Trump administration is fearing that Israel may act unilaterally without Washington's consent if negotiations between the US and Iran collapse, according to the Washington Post.
After LA, protests spread to New York, Chicago and other US cities
Demonstrations against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown have intensified and spread far beyond Los Angeles, with thousands of people gathering in at least two dozen cities, US media reported.
US: Curfew imposed in downtown LA after protests, looting spark chaos
A limited curfew will come into effect from Tuesday in several areas of downtown Los Angeles, California, following several nights of unrest triggered by the Trump administration's immigration raids.