Brazil's Supreme Court on Friday announced a complete ban on X, platform formerly known as Twitter, after Elon Musk refused to name a legal representative in the country, according to a copy of the decision seen by The Associated Press. While thousands of Brazilians plan on using VPN (virtual private network) to access the platform, the Supreme Court has reportedly announced plans to fine them.
According to local media reports, Brazil’s apex Court announced that anyone using a VPN to access Twitter/X is subject to fines up to $8,874 a day. The move further escalates the monthslong feud between Musk and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation.
Read More: Brazil Judge Orders Elon Musk’s X To Be Fully Suspended In The Country
Related News | 
Brazil Judge Orders Elon Musk's X To Be Fully Suspended In The Country
Elon Musk Slams Brazil Judge Amid Starlink Accounts Block Reports: 'Outright Criminal'
On Wednesday night, Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes warned Elon Musk that X could be blocked in Brazil if he did not name a legal representative by the end of the 24-hour deadline. The company has been without a representative in Brazil since earlier this month. De Moraes stated that the platform would remain blocked until it complies.
Market research group Emarketer reports that around 40 million Brazilians, or about 20% of the population, use X at least once a month. The platform, led by Musk, anticipated the shutdown and claimed it was due to refusing to adhere to what it called "illegal orders" from De Moraes to censor political opponents.
Read More: Elon Musk Fires Back At Brazilian Judge Over X Shutdown Threat: Calls Him ‘An Evil Dictator’
Related News | 
Elon Musk Fires Back At Brazilian Judge Over X Shutdown Threat: Calls Him 'An Evil Dictator'
Elon Musk Hints At Lawsuit Against Brazil Judge After Starlink Block Reports
X argued that attempts to defend itself in court were thwarted by De Moraes, who allegedly threatened imprisonment for the company's Brazilian legal representative and froze her bank accounts after she resigned. The platform accused De Moraes of manifestly illegal actions and said other Supreme Court justices had failed to challenge him.
X has previously complied with Brazilian orders to shut down accounts associated with former President Jair Bolsonaro’s right-wing party and other individuals accused of undermining Brazilian democracy.