The ongoing feud between Elon Musk and Brazil's Supreme Court has reached a boiling point, resulting in a nationwide ban on X (formerly Twitter) in Brazil and a dramatic surge in VPN usage.
Key developments:
- Brazil's Supreme Court unanimously voted to ban X for failing to comply with court orders
- VPN usage in Brazil has spiked 1,600% as users seek to bypass the ban
- Musk launched a new Alexandre Files account to publish court documents
- Brazilian authorities threaten fines of up to $9,000 per day for VPN users
Ban sparks VPN surge and global protest
The ban on X has driven many of Brazil's 21 million users to virtual private networks (VPNs) to maintain access to the platform. VPN providers like NordVPN and Proton VPN have seen massive spikes in Brazilian sign-ups and usage.
Interestingly, the ban has also inspired a form of digital protest, with users outside Brazil connecting to Brazilian VPN servers in solidarity. However, experts caution this tactic is unlikely to sway Brazilian authorities and may inadvertently strain VPN infrastructure.
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| Engaged users in Brazil turn to VPNs to access banned social media platform X for updates and communication |
Musk fights back with Alexandre Files
In response to the ban, Musk has created a new X account called the Alexandre Files to publish court documents related to Justice Alexandre de Moraes' takedown requests. This move mirrors Musk's controversial Twitter Files initiative from 2022.
The first revelations from the Alexandre Files include the identities of seven accounts de Moraes ordered banned, including a sitting Brazilian senator and relatives of a pro-Bolsonaro blogger accused of inciting riots.
Wider implications for online censorship
Brazil's ban on X highlights the growing trend of social media restrictions worldwide. Access Now reports 53 platform blocks across 25 countries in 2023, up from 39 blocks in 29 countries last year.
The situation raises complex questions about the balance between combating misinformation and protecting free speech online. As governments and tech companies clash over content moderation, users are increasingly caught in the middle, turning to VPNs and other tools to maintain access to global platforms.
While the ultimate resolution of Musk's battle with Brazilian authorities remains uncertain, it's clear that the incident will have lasting implications for online speech and platform regulation in Brazil and beyond.