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Elon Musk Challenges The Supreme Court By Reporting Violations Of International Agreement. The Social Network X Warns Of Risks To Freedom Of Expression.
The social network X, controlled by Elon Musk, accused the Supreme Federal Court (STF) of overstepping legal boundaries by demanding the suspension of profiles and blocking accounts linked to Starlink, another company of the billionaire.
The complaint, made on Tuesday (August 19, 2025), argues that Brazilian decisions violate the legal agreement established between Brazil and the United States, directly threatening freedom of expression.
The case gained international relevance because X forwarded its criticisms to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which is investigating Brazil under the accusation of “unfair trade practices.”
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The proceeding is at the request of former American president Donald Trump, who is pushing for sanctions against the country.
In contrast, the Brazilian government officially responded on August 18, 2025, stating that it does not adopt discriminatory policies or unjustifiable restrictions against American companies, and denying any legal or factual basis for trade penalties.
X Points Out Risks To Freedom Of Expression In Brazil
In a statement published on the social network X itself, the company declared that it has “serious concerns regarding the need for protection of freedom of expression and fair application [of the law] in Brazil.”
The platform accuses the STF of ignoring the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) between the two countries by requiring local subsidiaries to provide user data without respecting diplomatic channels.
According to the company, even information about American citizens would be handed over irregularly, in violation of U.S. legislation.
STF And The Civil Internet Framework In Question
The clash gained momentum after the Supreme Federal Court’s ruling on Article 19 of the Civil Internet Framework, legislation that defines the responsibilities of digital platforms in Brazil.
According to the original text, networks could only be held responsible for third-party content if they failed to comply with a judicial order to remove it.
However, the STF decided that part of the article is unconstitutional and ruled that, in at least seven situations, platforms must remove postings deemed criminal on their own, without the need for prior judicial orders.
For the social network X, the change undermines the digital environment and creates legal insecurity for foreign companies. “These new judicial decisions, which nullify significant aspects of the MCI, threaten freedom of expression as well as digital commerce in the U.S.,” highlighted the official statement.
Starlink Also Joins The Dispute
In addition to the pressure on the social network, recent STF decisions have affected Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet company.
The Brazilian courts ordered the blocking of funds from the company, as well as the suspension of some services.
X argues that the “cumulative effect has been a deterioration of the regulatory and judicial environment for digital services in Brazil,” emphasizing that the STF’s actions raise compliance costs, encourage excessive censorship, and jeopardize competitiveness in the technology sector.
Political And Economic Impacts Of The Dispute
The clash is not just legal but also political and economic. By appealing to the USTR, Elon Musk amplifies diplomatic pressure against Brazil, placing the issue at the center of trade negotiations between the two countries.
Digital law experts believe that the case could have long-term repercussions, especially regarding the balance between platform regulation, national sovereignty, and guarantees of freedom of expression.
Meanwhile, the Brazilian government insists that it complies with international norms and that the STF’s decisions respect the Constitution.
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