Starlink Satellite Network Preparing Shut Down In Entire Country
Elon Musk’s Starlink said Thursday that Brazil’s top judge, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, had issued an order that basically shut down the internet satellite business in Brazil by preventing the company from conducting financial transactions in the country. This is a developing story in an ongoing feud between X and the Supreme Court Justice.
De Moraes Vs. Musk
For context, Elon Musk has been feuding with Alexandre de Moraes for months over the judge’s demand to block certain accounts in the country and to name a legal representative for the platform in Brazil.
The latter was given a 24-hour ultimatum, which resulted in X’s suspension in Brazil following Musk’s non-compliance. Now, Moraes is targeting Starlink, another one of Musk’s companies, to get X to comply with the court order—something X characterized as “censorship.”
Starlink
Apparently, the order issued by the Brazilian Supreme Court Justice is based on a determination that Starlink should be held accountable for X and responsible for the fines levied against the social media company.
Officials at Starlink have shared that the order was issued in secret, devoiding Starlink of any due process of law guaranteed by the Constitution of Brazil. What’s even more shocking are the secrets associated with the whole feud, which Starlink has shared openly with the public.
Breaking Brazil’s Own Laws
When Elon Musk initially bought X, he made promises that it would turn the heavily moderated and censored platform into a platform of free speech. Following Moraes’ order to shut down X, the platform released a statement saying that they’re being shut down because it would comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents.
The platform added—in its statement—that it takes issues with Judge de Moraes demanding that the company breaks Brazil’s own laws, especially by denying both Starlink and X right to due legal process.
SpaceX And X Aren’t The Same Thing
Brazilian officials, on the other hand, claim that the accounts they want censored spread misinformation and hate speech, followed by Moraes’ announcement of an investigation into Musk’s obstruction of justice after the latter swore to defy the court’s orders to block certain accounts in Brazil.
However, ordering the shutdown of Starlink to force X into playing ball might be a bit extreme. SpaceX, which owns Starlink, and X are two completely different companies with different shareholders.
We Await Musk’s Response
Musk owns only about 40 percent of SpaceX and Starlink, so the Moraes’ actions, apparently illegal, are actually hurting the company’s shareholders and people of Brazil. But perhaps that’s the endgame—if shareholders lose a lot of money, they’ll likely exert more pressure on Musk to play nicely with censorship demands.
The conclusion of this ongoing story remains to be seen, but it’s unlikely for Musk to deny his opponents a response, especially considering his history of telling people off—like Disney CEO Bob Iger, for example.
In response to Moraes’ targeting of Starlink, Musk, who is a self-described free speech absolutist, has accused de Moraes of stifling free speech and violating the constitution of his own country.
Source: Endgadget
