Brazil's First Lady Condemns Elon Musk Over X Platform Ban During G20 Event

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
17/11/2024 18h35

**Brazil's First Lady Criticizes Elon Musk Over Social Media Ban at G20 Event**

During a G20 social event, Brazil's First Lady Janja Lula da Silva did not hold back her criticisms of billionaire Elon Musk and his social media platform, X. Speaking candidly, she condemned Musk for the platform's recent suspension in Brazil, noting its failure to comply with local regulations.

X was temporarily banned for a month in Brazil after it neglected to name a legal representative and did not comply with court orders to block accounts involved in hate speech and spreading false information. This led to tensions between Musk and the Brazilian government, which culminated in a strong message from First Lady Janja, "I'm not afraid of you, f*** you, Elon Musk."

The conflict began earlier this year when Brazil's Supreme Court blocked access to X due to the platform's non-compliance with orders to regulate harmful content. Further disagreement arose when First Lady Janja threatened legal action against the social media giant after her account reportedly got hacked.

Elon Musk, known for his frequent public rebuttals, responded on his platform with an emoji and a comment implying that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's administration would lose the next election. His comments were met with a statement from a spokesperson for Lula, emphasizing the importance of respectful discourse and stating, "We don't have to offend or curse anyone."

Despite X reopening its offices and claims of "censorship" by a judge, the platform's non-compliance with local laws continued to strain its relationship with the Brazilian government. The First Lady’s remarks highlight ongoing concerns about the role of social media in spreading misinformation and the need for regulatory measures.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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