CoinWorld reports:
Twitter may now cost Brazilians nearly $9,000 daily, as the Brazilian Federal Police, equivalent to the FBI in the country, has been authorized to investigate users violating the nationwide ban on Elon Musk’s social network X (formerly Twitter). The penalty for using X during the suspension equates to almost three years’ salary for minimum wage earners.
A submitted order states: “I command the Federal Police to monitor extreme cases of using ‘X’.” Last week, Brazilian Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the Federal Police to identify anyone tweeting after the ban, imposing hefty fines for “continued or repeated” violations.
Federal investigators are already seeking cases of usage and abuse, but have not elaborated on the methods for identifying offenders. Notable politicians, including former President Jair Bolsonaro’s son Eduardo Bolsonaro and Senator Marcos do Val, are under investigation for allegedly using VPNs to access the platform, according to a report by Brazilian media Metropolis.
Investigators are focusing on the digital footprints left by these individuals, and if they repeatedly circumvent the restrictions, they may face severe penalties. Unsurprisingly, the legal risks and escalating fines have created a tense environment for many Brazilians. One Brazilian X user who accessed the platform via VPN after the suspension described the anxiety of using X. “I don’t know how the (Federal Police) investigation is conducted, and I can’t even afford a 10% fine daily,” the user told Decoding. “But I have to make a living.”
Even Elon Musk is reconsidering after being fined $4.2 million, seemingly searching for a way to end his free speech battle that began in August. At that time, Musk closed X’s office in the country and refused to comply with a court order to remove over 100 accounts accused of spreading misinformation regarding the legitimacy of the 2022 election results or accused of promoting hate.
Recently, he intensified his rhetoric, comparing Judge de Moraes to the villain Voldemort from Harry Potter and urging Brazilians to use VPNs to circumvent the ban. However, Musk changed direction on Friday when X suddenly began complying with the court’s order. He reappointed Rachel de Oliveira Villa Nova Conceição as X’s legal representative in Brazil, a month after her resignation for “strictly personal” reasons. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court is still reviewing X’s shift as of Monday and has not yet formally confirmed receipt of the necessary documents.
As X rushes to comply with Brazilian court orders, many users have migrated. After the platform was banned, millions of Brazilians have apparently moved to Bluesky, a decentralized platform founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. Bluesky’s user base surged to over 10 million in just a few days, marking record-breaking growth.
Some former X users claim they may not return even if Musk’s platform is reinstated. “It’s too toxic, it ruined my mood,” said Matt Bixler, a former X user who migrated to Bluesky. Nonetheless, others wish to return, as it remains the largest platform of its kind. Moreover, in typical Brazilian fashion, some social media “refugees” are mocking the entire situation.
