“Freedom of Lies”: Brazilian Supreme Court Orders Immediate Block of Social Network X

The Brazilian Supreme Court has ordered the immediate suspension of the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, within the country.

This ruling is the latest development in an ongoing conflict between the court and the social media platform, which was recently acquired by the eccentric billionaire Elon Musk. As expected, Musk quickly condemned Brazil’s actions, accusing the country of violating freedom of speech for political purposes. However, the judge involved in the case insists that the issue at hand is not about freedom of speech but rather the systematic dissemination of disinformation to Brazilian users via the platform.

The conflict between the Brazilian judiciary and X has been escalating for some time. The social network has been repeatedly criticised for its failure to control the spread of false information. The court had previously proposed that X establish a local office in Brazil and take steps to monitor and manage the content shared on its platform. Despite these suggestions, Musk opted for confrontation, publicly stating that X would not comply with such orders, which he viewed as an attack on freedom of expression in Brazil.

This ban represents a significant setback for Musk, given Brazil’s large and active user base. With a population of approximately 200 million, it is estimated that one in ten Brazilians uses the platform. This market is crucial for the social network, making the court’s decision a serious blow to Musk’s business interests in the region.

The situation with X bears similarities to the challenges faced by Telegram, a messaging service created by the Russian entrepreneurs Pavel and Nikolai Durov. Both platforms have been accused of serving as breeding grounds for disinformation and unregulated anonymous content. The owners of these platforms have consistently framed their defence as a matter of protecting freedom of speech, while critics argue they are neglecting their responsibility to prevent the spread of false information.

There are concerns about the political implications of the content allowed on these platforms. In Brazil, supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, often referred to as the “Brazilian Trump,” have been accused of using X to spread disinformation. Musk’s known admiration for former U.S. President Donald Trump only intensifies these concerns, as Musk has been one of Trump’s most vocal supporters. His actions, including providing Trump with a platform on X, have raised suspicions that Musk’s business moves may be politically motivated.

While Durov appears less directly tied to political circles, recent events suggest otherwise. During a recent visit to Baku, it was revealed that Durov sought a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising eyebrows about his potential political affiliations.

Russian intelligence agencies have long been known to exploit the anonymity provided by Telegram for propaganda and to target political opponents. These agencies have used anonymous channels to spread disinformation, especially during the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The anonymity of these platforms has made it difficult for users to discern which channels are genuinely affiliated with Ukrainian authorities and which are operated by Russian intelligence.

In both Telegram and X, the lack of regulation creates an environment where disinformation thrives. Russian agencies have capitalised on this, using anonymous platforms to confuse and mislead the public, often trapping populist regimes in their propaganda strategies. This has been particularly evident during the Russia-Ukraine war, where Russian intelligence has established a network of anonymous Telegram channels, masquerading as Ukrainian sources, to spread misleading information.

X faces a similar situation, particularly in countries like the United States and Brazil, where the platform plays a crucial role in political communication. The spread of unchecked information and the reluctance to combat anonymity and bot activity have turned X into a potent tool in political battles.

Musk’s accusation that the Brazilian judge is infringing on freedom of speech is, at best, a misrepresentation. The true issue lies not in the regulation of information itself but in the regulation of those who disseminate it. The goal should be to create a space where individuals are held accountable for the facts they present, where lies do not compete with the truth under the guise of free speech.

Musk’s and Durov’s platforms have increasingly become associated with the “freedom of lies,” a term that critiques their approach to managing their social networks. While they champion the notion of free speech, the reality is that their platforms often provide a fertile ground for falsehoods to flourish unchecked.