Starlink Complies With Blocking Orders For X In Brazil, According To Regulators

Starlink, a satellite internet provider company owned by Elon Musk (photo: x @StarBR_USALink)

JAKARTA - On September 4, 2024, Starlink, a satellite internet provider company owned by Elon Musk, finally complied with Brazil's highest court order to block access to the country's social media platform X. Previously, Starlink had stated to Brazil's telecommunications regulator, Anatel, that they would not follow the order.

Starlink has become a new battleground between Musk and Brazil after Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered a freeze in the company's account, which may be used to pay the fine imposed on X, also owned by Musk. Although Starlink stated that treatment of them, including asset freezes, was illegal, they adhered to orders to block access to X in Brazil. To date, Starlink has more than 200,000 customers in the Latin American country.

On Monday, September 2, Anatel was told by Starlink that the company would not comply with Moraes' order for all internet providers to block domestic access to X. However, Anatel confirmed that Starlink then changed its stance and informed regulators on Tuesday 3 September that it would complete the blocking within hours.

Starlink has also started legal proceedings at Brazil's Supreme Court, opposing Moraes' order against Brazil's law and constitution. However, Starlink's deadline for filing an appeal against its account suspension decision has been missed, and it is not clear what legal tool the company will use to cancel the freeze.

This dispute related to X originated from Moraes' order earlier this year requiring the platform to block accounts involved in spreading fake news and hate messages.

Musk denounced this order as a form of censorship, and responded by closing his Brazilian company's office in mid-August, although the platform was still accessible until it was finally closed by Moraes. Some Brazilians can still access this service via VPN and other means.