Elon Musk's Starlink says it will block X in Brazil to keep satellite internet active

Starlink, the satellite internet service owned and operated by SpaceX, said it will block social network X in Brazil to continue operations there without the threat of losing its license. Elon Musk owns both businesses.

Brazil's supreme court blocked X in the country after it openly defied the court's orders and failed to pay fines. X refused requests to suspend accounts posting content that the court alleged harmed democratic institutions in Brazil, which is preparing for municipal elections in October.

The supreme court orders had frozen Starlink's financial assets in the country to ensure X would pay its penalties. The country's top justice, Alexandre de Moraes, viewed Musk's two companies as working in concert.

One takedown request pertained to the account of a senator, Marcos do Val, who is being investigated for possible involvement in plots to stage a coup and to sabotage de Moraes. The social network also refused to appoint a legal representative in the country, a requirement under federal regulations.

De Moraes detractors say he has gone too far in exerting control over speech online and on social networks.

As CNBC has previously reported, Starlink has advertised on X and Musk has encouraged users to access the social network using his satellite internet service.

SpaceX has said it has about 250,000 Starlink customers in Brazil. Its competitors there include Hughesnet, Viasat and Telebras.

The Starlink account on X published the following statement, referring to its decision and de Moraes:

"To our customers in Brazil (who may not be able to read this as a result of X being blocked by @alexandre):

The Starlink team is doing everything possible to keep you connected. Following last week's order from @alexandre that froze