Brazilian Social Media Platform X Blocked: Users Struggle to Navigate Alternatives
The recent blocking of social media platform X in Brazil has caused a divide among users and politicians over the legitimacy of the ban. Many Brazilians are struggling to navigate other social media platforms in its absence, raising doubts about their ability to stay informed.
The shutdown of Elon Musk’s platform started early Saturday, making it largely inaccessible on both the web and through mobile apps after the billionaire refused to name a legal representative for the country, missing a deadline imposed by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The blockade marks an escalation in a monthslong feud between Musk and de Moraes over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation.
Brazil is one of X’s biggest markets with tens of millions of users. The blocking has left many feeling disconnected from current events. Entertainment writer and heavy X user Chico Barney wrote on Threads that he had “no idea what’s happening in the world right now.” Threads is a text-based app developed by Instagram that Barney was using as an alternative.
Bluesky, launched last year as an alternative to X and other more established sites, has seen a large influx of Brazilians signing up during this time. The company said Friday it has seen about 200,000 new users from Brazil sign up during that time with numbers continuing to grow by the minute. Brazilian users are also setting records for activities such as follows and likes.
Previous users welcomed Brazilians to their ranks on other platforms like Threads where one user wrote “Hello literally everyone in Brazil,” while another said “We’re a lot nicer than Twitter here.”
X is not as popular in Brazil as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok but remains important for political debates among politicians, journalists and opinion makers who use it frequently. It’s also where they share their sense of humor with many famous memes originating from posts on X before spreading across other social networks.
Pop stars have also been affected by Brazilians being left off the platform including Cardi B who said Friday on X “Wait a lot of my fan pages are Brazilian!!! Come back hold up!!” A fan page dedicated to Timothée Chalamet known by handle TimotheeUpdates said it would temporarily cease updating as all its administrators were Brazilian.
De Moraes stated that X will remain suspended until it complies with his orders while setting daily fines for people or companies using virtual private networks (VPNs) at 50k reais ($8.9k). Some legal experts questioned these grounds while others suggested this move was authoritarian.
The Brazilian Bar Association released a statement saying they would request Supreme Court review fines imposed on citizens using VPNs or other means without due process arguing sanctions should never be imposed summarily before ensuring an adversarial process and right to full defense.
while some may struggle initially without access to their preferred social media platform like X; alternatives like Bluesky offer hope for continued engagement online despite ongoing disputes between tech giants like Elon Musk & government officials over issues such as free speech rights which continue shaping our digital landscape today!Brazil Bans X: Elon Musk’s Social Media Platform Forced to Leave the Country
In a move that has sparked controversy and concern over free speech, Brazil has banned X, the social media platform owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk. The decision was made by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes after X refused to comply with a court order to remove posts containing false information about Brazilian politicians.
The ban has been met with criticism from both Brazilian citizens and international figures. Musk himself tweeted his disapproval of the decision, calling it “unconstitutional” and “dystopian.” Many Brazilians have expressed their frustration at losing access to the platform, which they used for news as well as entertainment.
The ban has also raised concerns about internet freedom in Brazil. Some fear that this could be a sign of increasing government control over online content. Others worry that this could set a dangerous precedent for other countries looking to crack down on social media platforms.
Many right-wing politicians in Brazil have spoken out against the ban, including Nikolas Ferreira, one of former President Jair Bolsonaro’s closest allies. Ferreira is a 28-year-old YouTuber who received the most votes of any elected federal lawmaker in 2022. He called on Brazilians not to vote for politicians who do not respect free speech and compared Brazil’s current situation to George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984.”
Lawmaker Bia Kicis also criticized de Moraes’ decision and warned of regrettable consequences for Brazilians. She urged Rodrigo Pacheco, president of Brazil’s Senate, to take action against de Moraes.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva supported de Moraes’ decision and criticized Musk for positioning himself above Brazilian law during an interview with Radio MaisPB. He emphasized that any citizen with investments in Brazil is subject to Brazilian laws and must comply with court orders.
The ban has left many young people like Ana Júlia Alves de Oliveira feeling disconnected from world events since they rely solely on social media platforms like X for their news.
Despite protests from both citizens and international figures alike, it remains unclear whether or not X will be allowed back into Brazil anytime soon.
What is the extent of internet connectivity and digital literacy in rural areas of Brazil?
Disconnected from the World: Brazilians Share Their Struggles on the First Day Without X
The world we live in is digital. We take technology and its benefits for granted. However, without it, things can go chaotic in our daily routine, particularly in our work life. Especially during the pandemic, when remote working and virtual schooling have become the new normal, staying connected to the digital world has become an essential aspect of our lives.
Brazil is no exception to this. As the fifth-largest country in the world, it is also one of the most digitally advanced countries in Latin America. Although the country has made significant progress in digital literacy over the years, access to technology and internet connectivity is still an issue in rural areas of Brazil, where most of the population still lives.
In this article, we will examine the struggles that Brazilians face on their first day without X. X could be anything, ranging from power, internet connectivity, cell phone networks, or even access to their digital devices.
Struggles of Being Disconnected in Brazil
- Remote Working
Remote working has become a new normal in Brazil since the arrival of the pandemic. Many Brazilians were forced to switch to remote working to stay safe. As a result, access to the internet has become a fundamental requirement for them to work efficiently from home.
However, the internet connection is not stable in all parts of Brazil. In many cases, the internet connectivity is abruptly lost, leading to unbearable frustration and hindering productivity.
- Education
Remote learning has become the norm in Brazil since the pandemic hit. Children rely heavily on the internet to attend their virtual classes. It has been a significant challenge for many students living in rural areas, with limited internet connectivity. For them, going without X related to internet services can have a significant impact on academic performance and progress.
- Communication
Disruptions in the cell phone network have become a common issue since the arrival of the pandemic. With the country’s vast size and remote locations, the cell phone network does not always work smoothly. Losing access to it for even a short period can cause significant disruptions in daily life. People can miss important calls and appointments or may not be able to reach out to emergency services.
- Business Operations
Businesses depend on access to digital devices and internet connectivity to operate efficiently. Many Brazilians are small business owners and depend on a stable internet connection to communicate with suppliers and customers, process orders and payments, and manage accounts. Any interruption due to a lack of power or internet connectivity could result in significant financial losses and put their livelihoods at risk.
Benefits and Practical Tips
Being prepared for challenges related to digital disconnectivity can help Brazilians overcome hurdles that may arise due to disruptions in their digital lives. Here are some practical tips that can help them stay afloat during challenging times:
- Familiarize yourself with offline productivity tools and techniques.
- Stay informed about power outages and internet disruptions in your area.
- Develop backup plans to stay connected, like a backup generator or backup internet connection.
- Create a mobile hotspot with your phone’s internet service.
- Use cloud-based applications to access essential data and functionalities even during outages.
Case Studies and First-Hand Experience
We spoke with two Brazilians, Fabiana and João, who shared their first-hand experiences of life without X and how they coped with it.
Fabiana, a small business owner from São Paulo, shared that she experienced power outages that lasted for a few hours, leaving her unable to complete critical tasks for her business. She realized how dependent her business operations were on power and the internet. To overcome this challenge in the future, she invested in a backup generator to keep essential utilities running during such outages.
João, a student from a rural area outside Curitiba, regularly experienced internet outages that lasted for hours during his virtual classes. It affected his academic performance, and he struggled to keep up with his coursework. Despite the lack of internet connectivity, he found offline productivity techniques and tools helpful, like studying offline materials and creating a schedule for the coursework he could get done offline.
Conclusion
In today’s digital world, access to digital devices, internet connectivity, and power are essential. Brazilians are no exception to this, and without access to these, daily life can become challenging. In this article, we have explored the struggles of Brazilians on their first day without X, be it power, internet connectivity, cell phone networks, or access to their digital devices.
Preparation is key. By knowing how to deal with challenges related to these aspects, Brazilians can remain productive and connected even when facing digital outages. With backup plans, offline productivity tools, and techniques, people can cope with disruptions to their digital lives and continue with their daily routines successfully and efficiently.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from MONTAGE AFRICA.
Contact: editor@montageafrica.com
