UPDATE: Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Blocks Starlink Financial Accounts In Country

Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the blocking of SpaceX’s Starlink bank accounts in the South American country.

The order follows de Moraes’ warning to Elon Musk that X would be suspended in the country if he didn’t name a legal representative for the platform within 24 hours.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Issues Warning To Elon Musk

"The order to block accounts from the internet service provider, registered in the country under the name Starlink Brazil Holding Ltda, was issued on Aug. 18 by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, according to local news website G1," Bloomberg reports.

2022: Brazil awarded Elon Musk the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit for his contributions to the country.

2024: Brazil threatens to suspend 𝕏 and blocked Starlink's financial operations.

Brazil has fallen under the dictatorship of Alexandre de Moraes. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/27N2gXKho4

— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) August 29, 2024

"The tyrant, @Alexandre, is dictator of Brazil. Lula is his lapdog," Elon Musk commented.

The tyrant, @Alexandre, is dictator of Brazil. Lula is his lapdog. https://t.co/svONz3iv5S

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 29, 2024

Bloomberg reports:

A person with knowledge of the situation at the top court confirmed the report is correct.

Brazil’s top court didn’t comment on the report. Musk lashed out at Moraes, calling him a “criminal masquerading as a judge” in a post on X that made reference to the situation of both companies in the country.

Moraes on Wednesday threatened to block X in Brazil if the social media company doesn’t appoint a legal representative in the country by Thursday night.

Brazil President @LulaOficial says he respects free speech, the rule of law, and free markets, but he doesn't. @LulaOficial and @Alexandre de Moraes are about block X and have just frozen the bank accounts of @ElonMusk 's @Starlink . Both acts are flagrantly illegal.. pic.twitter.com/D560g1PtrT

— Michael Shellenberger (@shellenberger) August 29, 2024

BREAKING: In a blatant overreach, Alexandre de Moraes just froze Starlink's financial assets in Brazil simply because X shut down their offices.

This shameless power grab targets Starlink, which has zero connection to X, exposing how desperate he is to maintain control. pic.twitter.com/oURQptMMlr

— Dr. Simon Goddek (@goddeketal) August 29, 2024

Per G1 (translated):

Last week, Moraes considered the existence of a “de facto economic group” under Musk’s command and, on August 18, ordered the freezing of all financial assets of this group in Brazil , to guarantee the payment of fines applied by the Brazilian courts against the X network.

According to advisors from Minister Alexandre de Moraes' office, the other company under Elon Musk's command in the country — in addition to X — is precisely Starlink, which operates in Brazil selling satellite internet services , mainly in the North region.

In a post on X, Starlink called Moraes' decisions against X "unconstitutional" and claimed that it intends to appeal in court.

"This order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be held liable for the fines levied — unconstitutionally — against X. It was issued in secret and without giving Starlink any of the due legal process guaranteed by the Brazilian Constitution. We intend to address the matter legally," the text reads (in free translation).

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"Earlier this week we received an order from Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice @alexandre de Moraes that freezes Starlink’s finances and prevents Starlink from conducting financial transactions in that country," Starlink wrote.

Earlier this week we received an order from Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice @alexandre de Moraes that freezes Starlink’s finances and prevents Starlink from conducting financial transactions in that country

— Starlink (@Starlink) August 29, 2024

"Today, Starlink is connecting more than a quarter million customers in Brazil—from the Amazon to Rio de Janeiro—including small businesses, schools, and first responders, among many others. We are proud of the impact Starlink is making in communities across the country, and the Starlink team is doing everything possible to ensure their service is not interrupted," it added.

Today, Starlink is connecting more than a quarter million customers in Brazil—from the Amazon to Rio de Janeiro—including small businesses, schools, and first responders, among many others. We are proud of the impact Starlink is making in communities across the country, and the…

— Starlink (@Starlink) August 29, 2024

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