Elon Musk Under Investigation by Brazilian Court! A test to see if countries can use censorship?

A Brazilian court has initiated an investigation into Elon Musk, the proprietor of X, over alleged obstruction of justice. This development stems from Musk's decision to reactivate far-right accounts flagged by the Brazilian government for removal. Musk's actions ensued following his call for the resignation or impeachment of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who presides over the country's Superior Electoral Court (TSE). X released a statement asserting that the directives to remove the accounts contravene the Brazilian constitution.

Although the court has not divulged the roster of targeted accounts, reports indicate the inclusion of Allan dos Santos, a fugitive far-right influencer and supporter of President Jair Bolsonaro. Dos Santos absconded from Brazil in 2020 to evade investigation for disseminating disinformation. Additionally, the list reportedly encompasses Bruno Aiub, known as Monark, a right-wing YouTuber boasting over 1 million followers on X, who has advocated for Brazil to recognize the Nazi party. Luciano Hang, a billionaire and Bolsonaro supporter, is also among those listed.

Subsequent to Musk's acquisition of the company, he reinstated the accounts of Brazilian far-right politicians Carla Zambelli, Gustavo Gayer, and Nikolas Ferreira. Ferreira, a Bolsonaro supporter, has publicly cast doubt on the security of Brazil's electronic voting machines, despite emerging victorious in his local legislative race.

Flora Rebello Arduini, campaign director at the nonprofit advocacy organization Ekō, remarked, "All of these individuals have long been problematic figures on social media, promoting far-right agendas and disseminating election misinformation."