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Brazil telecoms regulator threatens sanctions MuskSatellite internet company Starlink has escalated a public confrontation with the billionaire over the country’s decision to block his social media company X.
Last week, Brazil’s Supreme Court Ordering nationwide closure of business Failure to appoint a legal representative within the time limit specified by the court in accordance with the laws of the country. The ruling is The verdict was upheld on Monday A panel of federal Supreme Court justices.
Brazil’s telecoms regulator Anatel has instructed network providers to block access to X following a court order. Anatel Commissioner Artur Coimbra said Reuters Starlink is the only company to tell regulators it will not comply with the court ruling.
in a separate interview CNN Brazil On Monday, Coimbra said Anatel was investigating potential breaches by Starlink and other network operators. The commissioner said that if a company does not comply with a court order to block X, it could be subject to a number of sanctions, including fines and the revocation of its license to do business in Brazil.
CNBC has contacted Anatel for comment.
Musk’s fight with Brazil dates back to April, when an explain The company was forced by “a court decision to block certain popular accounts.” Shortly after, Musk said the restrictions were lifted, urge Users download virtual private networks (VPNs) to access X in case the social network is banned.
The conflict intensifies just as Brazil prepares for municipal elections in October. Under the country’s laws, social networks must employ people who can receive and consider government takedown notices about politically misinformation.
X has no such employees in Brazil, the company previously said Fire all employees Last month, a new legal skirmish broke out in the country amid ongoing tensions.
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Starlink targeting intensifies disputes between Musk and Brazil, in particular fueling conflict between the billionaire and Brazil Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraeswho is responsible for banning X.
Starlink said last week on X It received an order from Moraes to “freeze Starlink’s finances and prevent the company from conducting financial transactions in the country.”
Last week, defendant Moraes threatened to jail the social network’s legal representatives. The company’s global government affairs team posted on X that a judge froze all of the representative’s bank accounts once he resigned.
Musk has repeatedly attacked Moraes, calling him an “evil tyrant” and calling for his imprisonment. He also described the Brazilian court’s ruling as censorship.
Brazil’s Supreme Court had no immediate comment when contacted by CNBC.
– CNBC’s Lora Kolodny contributed to this report.
