Elon Musk's satellite internet provider Starlink has reversed its opposition and now says it will abide by an order by Brazil's top court to block access to X, the billionaire's social network, in Latin America's largest country.

Starlink, which had its bank accounts frozen by judicial order, had, on an informal basis, told Anatel, the country's telecommunications watchdog, that it wouldn't comply with the requirement, according to the agency.

“Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing of our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil,” the company said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Musk is in the middle of a very heated, somewhat public feud with Brazil over the fact that Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes called for X to be banned as part of his broader campaign against disinformation. That spat extended to Starlink after X refused to pay fines, and that judge moved to freeze the accounts of the internet provider in an attempt to force the billionaire to enforce earlier rulings.

The judge ordered the Central Bank, added to the case, to block the sending and receiving of money to and from abroad by the company. The frozen assets include the bank accounts and financial assets coming from Starlink Brazil Holding Ltda and Starlink Brazil Servicos de Internet Ltda, cars, real estate, boats, and aircraft.

Hacking attacks have increased, according to a statement by Anatel on Tuesday - “which caused momentary system and network instability." Brazil's Supreme Court and the Federal Police have also reported cyberattacks.

The ban against X has become a rallying cry for the network of right-wing political allies Musk has cultivated in recent years.

Donald Trump's son has invoked it in the US as a warning of what's in store if his father loses his campaign to take back the White House. Republican senators are meanwhile calling on the National Football League to cancel a high-profile game it has in Sao Paulo this week as part of its international marketing drive.

In Brazil, backers of former President Jair Bolsonaro are seizing on claims of "censorship" a month ahead of the municipal vote that will be the most significant test of support for the governing Workers' Party nationally.

Though that ban is depriving X of one of its biggest markets outside the US, so far it seems to be a cost Musk is willing to eat as it raises his profile and burnishes his image as a global defender of free speech.

According to Anatel, Starlink has about 225,000 broadband internet contracts in Brazil. That makes it the 16th-ranked provider with just a 0.5 per cent market share.

Elon Musk's satellite internet provider Starlink has reversed its opposition and now says it will abide by an order by Brazil's top court to block access to X, the billionaire's social network, in Latin America's largest country.

Elon Musk's satellite internet provider Starlink has reversed its opposition and now says it will abide by an order by Brazil's top court to block access to X, the billionaire's social network, in Latin America's largest country. Starlink, which had its bank accounts frozen by judicial order, had, on an informal basis, told Anatel, the country's telecommunications watchdog, that it wouldn't comply with the requirement, according to the agency. “Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing of our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil,” the company said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Musk is in the middle of a very heated, somewhat public feud with Brazil over the fact that Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes called for X to be banned as part of his broader campaign against disinformation. That spat extended to Starlink after X refused to pay fines, and that judge moved to freeze the accounts of the internet provider in an attempt to force the billionaire to enforce earlier rulings. The judge ordered the Central Bank, added to the case, to block the sending and receiving of money to and from abroad by the company. The frozen assets include the bank accounts and financial assets coming from Starlink Brazil Holding Ltda and Starlink Brazil Servicos de Internet Ltda, cars, real estate, boats, and aircraft. Hacking attacks have increased, according to a statement by Anatel on Tuesday - “which caused momentary system and network instability." Brazil's Supreme Court and the Federal Police have also reported cyberattacks. The ban against X has become a rallying cry for the network of right-wing political allies Musk has cultivated in recent years. Donald Trump's son has invoked it in the US as a warning of what's in store if his father loses his campaign to take back the White House. Republican senators are meanwhile calling on the National Football League to cancel a high-profile game it has in Sao Paulo this week as part of its international marketing drive. In Brazil, backers of former President Jair Bolsonaro are seizing on claims of "censorship" a month ahead of the municipal vote that will be the most significant test of support for the governing Workers' Party nationally. Though that ban is depriving X of one of its biggest markets outside the US, so far it seems to be a cost Musk is willing to eat as it raises his profile and burnishes his image as a global defender of free speech. According to Anatel, Starlink has about 225,000 broadband internet contracts in Brazil. That makes it the 16th-ranked provider with just a 0.5 per cent market share.

Starlink bows to Brazil's court order amid feud over X ban

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Wednesday threatened to close the local operations of X, formerly known as Twitter, unless billionaire owner Elon Musk appoints a legal representative in Brazil within 24 hours.

The directive from Justice Alexandre de Moraes marks the latest escalation in an ongoing conflict with Musk's platform. The company clashed with de Moraes earlier this year over issues like free speech, accounts linked to the far-right, and misinformation on the platform, and it claims to be a target of censorship.

Earlier this month, X announced it was terminating all remaining staff in Brazil "effective immediately," stating that de Moraes had threatened its legal representative in the country with arrest.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court notified X of de Moraes' order in response to a post from the company's global government affairs account on the social platform.

"In case of non-compliance with the determination, the decision could bring about suspension of the social media network's activities in Brazil," the court stated in a release.

In the United States, free speech is a constitutional right that is far more lenient than in many countries, including Brazil, where de Moraes in April initiated an investigation into Musk over the spread of defamatory fake news and another inquiry over potential obstruction, incitement, and criminal organisation.

Brazil's political right has long portrayed de Moraes as overreaching to suppress free speech and engage in political persecution. His supporters argue his actions are lawful, backed by at least the majority of the court's bench, and have been necessary to safeguard democracy in a time when it is under threat.

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Wednesday threatened to close the local operations of X, formerly known as Twitter, unless billionaire owner Elon Musk appoints a legal representative in Brazil within 24 hours.

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Wednesday threatened to close the local operations of X, formerly known as Twitter, unless billionaire owner Elon Musk appoints a legal representative in Brazil within 24 hours. The directive from Justice Alexandre de Moraes marks the latest escalation in an ongoing conflict with Musk's platform. The company clashed with de Moraes earlier this year over issues like free speech, accounts linked to the far-right, and misinformation on the platform, and it claims to be a target of censorship. Earlier this month, X announced it was terminating all remaining staff in Brazil "effective immediately," stating that de Moraes had threatened its legal representative in the country with arrest. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court notified X of de Moraes' order in response to a post from the company's global government affairs account on the social platform. "In case of non-compliance with the determination, the decision could bring about suspension of the social media network's activities in Brazil," the court stated in a release. In the United States, free speech is a constitutional right that is far more lenient than in many countries, including Brazil, where de Moraes in April initiated an investigation into Musk over the spread of defamatory fake news and another inquiry over potential obstruction, incitement, and criminal organisation. Brazil's political right has long portrayed de Moraes as overreaching to suppress free speech and engage in political persecution. His supporters argue his actions are lawful, backed by at least the majority of the court's bench, and have been necessary to safeguard democracy in a time when it is under threat.

Brazil Supreme Court justice threatens to shut down X operations over legal representation dispute

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Starlink bows to Brazil's court order amid feud over X ban

Brazil Supreme Court justice threatens to shut down X operations over legal representation dispute