X has announced that it will immediately cease operations in Brazil. The social media platform, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, says it is taking the step due to what it calls “censorship orders” issued by Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes.

According to X, Moraes threatened to arrest one of the company’s legal representatives in Brazil if they did not comply with orders to remove certain content from the platform. The judge is also said to have imposed a fine of around €3,300 per day for each day the orders were not followed.

Moraes had ordered some X accounts blocked earlier this year. He is investigating groups accused of spreading fake news and hate during the government of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Musk disagreed, saying Moraes’ orders were illegal. However, X representatives later promised that the company would follow the orders.

X says the decision to close was made to protect the safety of its employees. Brazil’s Supreme Court has yet to respond. The platform said X will remain online for users in Brazil.

In 2022, Bolsonaro lost the election to leftist President Lula. Last year, a court ruled that Bolsonaro cannot participate in Brazilian politics until 2030 because he spread misinformation in the run-up to that lost election.