Brazilian Supreme Court Orders X to Explain Alleged Non-Compliance with Rulings Within Five Days

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has ordered the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to explain its alleged failure to fully comply with court rulings to block certain accounts linked to the spread of fake news. Justice Alexandre de Moraes set a Friday deadline for X to respond to the order and provide clarification on the matter.

The accounts in question are allegedly connected to "digital militias" that disseminated misinformation during the government of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. Justice Moraes is currently investigating these groups and their potential involvement in an alleged coup attempt by Bolsonaro.

According to a report by Brazil's federal police, the accounts that were ordered to be blocked were still active on the platform as of early April 2024, contradicting X's previous statement claiming compliance with the court's directives. The police report highlighted this discrepancy, prompting Justice Moraes to demand an explanation from the Elon Musk-owned company.

The court's decision to summon X is part of an ongoing inquiry into the activities of these "digital militias" and their role in spreading fake news during Bolsonaro's administration. The investigation aims to uncover the extent of their influence and any potential connections to the alleged coup attempt.

Why this matters: The case underscores the challenges faced by social media platforms in combating the spread of misinformation and complying with court orders in different jurisdictions. It also highlights the ongoing efforts by Brazilian authorities to address the issue of fake news and its impact on the country's political landscape.

X now has until Friday to provide a detailed response to the court, explaining the reasons behind its alleged non-compliance and outlining the steps it has taken to address the issue. The company's response will be crucial in determining the next steps in the investigation and any potential consequences it may face for failing to fully comply with the court's rulings.

Key Takeaways

• Brazilian Supreme Court orders X (Twitter) to explain non-compliance with court rulings.
• Accounts linked to "digital militias" spreading fake news during Bolsonaro's presidency remain active.
• Ongoing investigation into the activities of these "digital militias" and their role in alleged coup attempt.
• X has until Friday to provide a detailed response to the court's order.
• Case highlights challenges for social media platforms in combating misinformation and complying with court orders.