Brazilians struggle to navigate social media without X

This move marks a significant intensification of the ongoing feud between Musk and de Moraes over issues of free speech, far-right accounts, and misinformation, as reported by the Associated Press.

Brazil, a significant market for X with millions of users, has been impacted by the platform’s ban. Entertainment writer Chico Barney, a regular X user, expressed his discontent on Threads, an alternative app from Instagram, stating, “I feel disconnected from current events, it’s surreal.”

Barney also criticized Threads’ algorithm, comparing it to a restaurant where the waiter persistently serves unwanted dishes, highlighting his dissatisfaction with the alternative platform, as reported by the AP.

Bluesky, another social media platform, has seen a significant influx of Brazilian users since the blockade. The company reported that around 200,000 new users from Brazil signed up within days, with numbers continuing to rise rapidly. Brazilian users have also set records on Bluesky for activities like follows and likes.

The impact of the shutdown has been felt by various online communities, including fanbases of international pop stars. For instance, Cardi B expressed concern for her Brazilian fan pages, while a Timothée Chalamet fan page announced a temporary halt to updates due to the ban affecting its Brazilian administrators.

Justice de Moraes has said that X will remain suspended until Musk complies with the court’s orders. He also imposed a daily fine of 50,000 reais ($8,900) for individuals or companies using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access the platform.

The ban on X in Brazil has sparked criticism from legal experts, who argue that the decision lacks solid grounds and raises concerns about enforcement. The Brazilian Bar Association has appealed to the Supreme Court to reconsider the fines, emphasizing that penalties should not be imposed without proper due process.

Political science professor Maurício Santoro expressed his concerns about the ban on X before it was shut down, drawing parallels with authoritarian regimes like China and describing the situation as “dystopian.”

Right-wing congressman Nikolas Ferreira, a close ally of former President Jair Bolsonaro, also denounced the ban, warning Brazilians against voting for those who disregard free speech and likening the situation to an Orwellian nightmare. Elon Musk seemingly endorsed this view with a simple “100” emoji response, indicating his agreement.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has publicly supported Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes’ decision, rebuking Elon Musk for his apparent disregard for Brazilian law.

In an interview with Radio MaisPB, Lula emphasized that all individuals, regardless of their wealth or global influence, must comply with Brazil’s Constitution and laws. He stated, “Just because someone has a lot of money doesn’t mean they can disrespect our laws.”

Meanwhile, the shutdown of X has left many Brazilians, particularly young people like 18-year-old student Ana Júlia Alves de Oliveira, feeling disoriented. Oliveira, who relied on X as her primary source of news, expressed her sense of disconnection, saying, “Without X, I feel like I’ve lost touch with what’s happening globally.”

(with inputs from AP)