Brazil Judge Opens Inquiry Into Elon Musk for Alleged Obstruction of Justice

By Jace Dela Cruz

Apr 08, 2024 01:00 AM EDT

A Supreme Court judge in Brazil has launched an investigation into Elon Musk for alleged obstruction of justice. 

Brazil Supreme Court Judge Opens Investigation Into Elon Musk

According to Reuters, the investigation resulted from Elon Musk's refusal to comply with Justice Alexandre de Moraes' directive to suspend some accounts on his social media platform, X, formerly Twitter.

The judge opened the inquiry into Musk after the tech billionaire said he would reactivate accounts on X that Moraes had ordered to be blocked.

Musk announced on X Sunday that the content restrictions in Brazil had been lifted because the court order was unconstitutional and called on Moraes to resign.

READ NEXT: Elon Musk, X Sued by Former Twitter Exec Nick Caldwell Over Alleged Breach of Contract, Unpaid Severance 

AI Safety Summit - Day One
BLETCHLEY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: SpaceX, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks with members of the media during day one of the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park on November 01, 2023 in Bletchley, England.
(Photo : Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Brazil Supreme Court Judge Opens Inquiry Into What He Called an Obstruction of Justice

In response to the tech billionaire's statements, Alexandre de Moraes added Elon Musk to the investigation he's leading into fake news on social media and opened an inquiry into what he called an obstruction of justice.

Moraes also issued a stern warning, emphasizing that X must adhere to all court orders, including suspending previously flagged profiles reportedly linked to far-right movements that posted content related to the riots on January 8 last year, when thousands of supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the Congress, the Supreme Court, and the presidential palace.

The judge said failure to comply with the court's directive could result in hefty fines for X, amounting to 100,000 reais ($19,740) per day.

READ MORE: Elon Musk's X Reportedly Testing 'Adult Content' Groups Without Age Verification Protocol 

© 2024 VCPOST, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Join the Conversation

Real Time Analytics