Musk’s SpaceX satellite internet provider Starlink has informed Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) that it will not block the X social network following a court order. This decision stands, at least until the service’s recently frozen assets are unblocked, according to The New York Times, citing a statement by Anatel President Carlos Baigorri in an interview with local publication Globo News.
Baigorri stated that Starlink’s lawyers notified him of the refusal to block X in the country, although he has not yet received official notification. He has already informed Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes, who ruled to block X in the country, of this development. Baigorri also noted that the agency could revoke Starlink’s license to operate in Brazil, which “hypothetically” could prevent the service from providing services to Brazilian customers.
Potential Consequences and Current Situation
If Starlink continues to provide service after its license is revoked, Anatel could seize Starlink equipment installed at 23 ground stations in the country that serve to improve connectivity, Baigorri mentioned.
Starlink filed a petition with Brazil’s Supreme Court to unblock its assets, but the court rejected the request. Following this, the company announced it would provide internet to its customers in Brazil for free while it is prohibited from making transactions.
We’ll keep you updated on any further developments in this ongoing situation.
Starlink’s Impact in Brazil
Starlink has gained significant popularity in Brazil since its launch in 2022, notes NIXsolutions. The service is particularly well-suited to Brazil’s vast rural areas and the Amazon rainforest. People living in the Amazon region, including remote indigenous tribes, were able to use Starlink for internet access for the first time, fundamentally changing their way of life. Currently, Starlink boasts approximately 250,000 customers in the country.
Meanwhile, Musk appears to be unwilling to back down in his standoff with Judge Moraes. He began to follow through on his threat to publish the judge’s secret orders on social media site X, demanding that the accounts of certain opposition figures be blocked on Saturday.