Brazil Supreme Court justice investigating Elon Musk over fake news and alleged obstruction

Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court has expanded his ongoing investigation into the dissemination of fake news to include Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The investigation was initiated in May 2021, focusing on individuals and organizations spreading false information related to the 2022 elections in Brazil.

On May 29, 2023, Justice de Moraes issued a decision adding Musk to the list of individuals under investigation due to his involvement in sharing a manipulated image of the Brazilian flag on Twitter. The image, which was shared by Musk on May 27, 2023, showed the flag with its green and yellow colors reversed, which is considered an insult to the country.

The justice's decision also opened a separate investigation into Musk for alleged obstruction. The allegations stem from Musk's response to the initial investigation, where he reportedly failed to comply with a court order to provide information about his Twitter account, including his identity verification and contact details.

The court order, issued on May 30, 2023, requested that Musk provide the information within 15 days, but he has not yet complied. The failure to comply with the court order could result in further legal consequences, including potential fines or even arrest if Musk enters Brazilian territory.

The investigation into Musk's involvement in sharing the manipulated flag image comes amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on the dissemination of false information, particularly during election periods. The Brazilian Supreme Court has taken a proactive stance against such activities, with Justice de Moraes leading the charge to hold individuals accountable for their actions on social media platforms.

It is important to note that this is an ongoing investigation, and the facts presented here are based on publicly available information at the time of writing. Further developments in the case may emerge as the investigation progresses.