Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered X (formerly Twitter) to pay a $1.4 million fine for refusing to comply with judicial demands to share user data linked to Allan dos Santos, a far-right figure accused of spreading misinformation. The ruling, finalized on October 4, 2024, marks the latest clash between tech giants and Brazilian authorities over content moderation and legal accountability.
In July 2024, de Moraes mandated X and Meta to block Santos’ account and provide registration details. While X initially blocked the profile, it claimed technical limitations prevented sharing user data, arguing Santos had “no technical connection point with Brazil.” De Moraes dismissed this defense, imposing a daily penalty of $17,500 until compliance. By October, the fines accumulated to $1.4 million.
X appealed the decision but ultimately agreed to pay the full amount. However, it remains unclear whether the platform surrendered the requested data. The company has not publicly commented on the case.
“This is not just about fines—it’s about enforcing accountability,”
stated legal experts, highlighting Brazil’s stringent approach to regulating foreign tech firms. Last year, de Moraes temporarily shut down X nationwide after it failed to appoint a local legal representative, a requirement under Brazilian law. Services resumed only after X complied with three key demands:
- Blocking banned accounts
- Naming a Brazilian legal representative
- Settling outstanding fines
The conflict intensified as X owner Elon Musk repeatedly criticized de Moraes, calling him “an enemy of free speech” and accusing him of overreach. Despite Musk’s protests, Brazil’s judiciary has consistently upheld de Moraes’ rulings, including nationwide platform blocks and content removal orders targeting misinformation.
This case underscores growing global tensions between governments and social media platforms over data transparency, misinformation, and jurisdictional authority. Brazil’s aggressive stance signals a precedent for other nations grappling with similar challenges.