Update, September 3, 5:15 PM ET: Starlink changed its attitude to Brazil’s decision not to comply with the X. In block A statement sent to Xcompany said:
“To our customers in Brazil (who can’t read this due to X being blocked by @alexandre):
The Starlink team does everything possible to keep you connected.
Following @alexandre’s order last week freezing Starlink’s finances and preventing Starlink from conducting financial transactions in Brazil, we immediately started legal proceedings in the Brazilian Supreme Court explaining the gross illegality of this order and asking the Court to freeze our assets. Regardless of Starlink’s illegal behavior in freezing our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil.
Like others who agree that @alexandre’s recent orders violate the Brazilian constitution, we continue to pursue all legal avenues.
The original story, “Starlink refuses to comply with Brazil’s X ban,” published Sept. 2, continues below without editing.
After the Supreme Court of the country ordered internet providers to block access to Xthe platform was largely unavailable in the country on Sunday night. Since then, the only ways to access X have been through VPNs (for those willing to face hefty fines) and Starlinkas well as a satellite internet service run by X owner Elon Musk.
Anatel, the president of Brazil’s telecommunications agency, said Starlink had refused to comply with the court order until officials released its frozen assets. The New York Times reports. And Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is on the warpath against X It blocked Starlink’s local bank accountsIt is a subsidiary of SpaceX. Moraes, who accuses Xi of spreading hate speech and misinformation, is said to have done so in order to collect a $3 million fine against X. ignoring his order to block certain accounts.
Starlink sued to have its assets unblocked, but the court denied the request. Musk called the freezing of the Starlink account “illegal”, arguing that SpaceX and X are separate entities, claiming that the former owns 40 percent.
There are approximately 250,000 Starlink customers in Brazil. The service has proven popular there in rural areas and among indigenous tribes in the Amazon. Starlink has promised to provide free internet to its Brazilian customers while their accounts in the country remain blocked.
If Starlink maintains its position on X, Brazil may revoke its internet service license. If it continues to operate after that, officials can seize the equipment of 23 ground stations. The transmitter helps Starlink improve the quality of satellite links.
Meanwhile, the majority of the Supreme Court staff X kept the ban in placeMoraes was removed after Musk violated several of his orders in court on Monday. X will have the right to appeal the decision. The panel also upheld Moraes’ order to fine anyone using a VPN to access X in Brazil 50,000 Brazilian Reals (about $8,900) per day.
