Exploring the Censorship and Content Moderation Struggles of X in Brazil
The Complex Landscape of Content Moderation in Brazil
The social media platform X has become largely inaccessible in Brazil following a Supreme Court order for mobile ISPs to block the site. The directive emerged from a conflict between Judge Alexandre de Moraes and CEO Elon Musk concerning the moderation of misinformation and hate speech.
Challenges in Blocking X
Despite Brazil's 215 million population and an array of over 20,000 ISPs, the Insta-block for X is anything but simple. While major providers are complying, patchy access remains due to regional ISPs. Reports from NetBlocks indicate varying implementations, highlighting a lack of coordination among ISPs.
- DNS Filtering: Many ISPs resort to DNS filtering to block X, which alone fails against mobile apps.
- IP Sinkholing: Some are attempting IP sinkholing to redirect traffic meant for X to alternate servers.
- VPN usage has surged as users seek ways to bypass these blocking methods.
Restrictions on Internet Access
While Brazil lacks the comprehensive legal frameworks seen in authoritarian regimes, the recent actions reflect increasing pressures on internet freedom. Challenging governmental controls and the fragmented nature of ISPs contributes to the chaotic blocking landscape.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.