Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered the suspension of U.S.-based video-sharing platform Rumble for failing to comply with court mandates. The ruling, issued by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, comes after Rumble refused to block Brazilian influencer Allan dos Santos, who is under investigation for alleged hate speech and misinformation.
Moraes, known for cracking down on disinformation, stated the suspension will remain until Rumble appoints a legal representative in Brazil and meets other legal requirements, including pending fines. The court also mandated Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, to enforce the suspension within 24 hours.
Rumble, favored by right-wing influencers, has criticized the decision, calling it "extraterritorial censorship" and an attack on free speech. The platform, which briefly restricted access in Brazil in 2023 due to similar court orders, resumed operations earlier this year. CEO Chris Pavlovski previously suggested Brazil had reversed its censorship stance.
The legal dispute escalated after Rumble and Trump Media & Technology Group sued Moraes in Florida, alleging unlawful censorship. Rumble also claims the suspension disrupts Truth Social, the social media platform associated with U.S. President Donald Trump, which relies on Rumble’s infrastructure.
Moraes dismissed censorship claims, emphasizing Brazil’s constitutional prohibition of hate speech and anti-democratic incitement. His ruling coincides with legal proceedings against former President Jair Bolsonaro, accused of orchestrating a plot to undermine Brazil’s democracy following his 2022 election defeat.
As tensions rise, Rumble is exploring legal options to challenge the ruling. The case underscores ongoing global debates over online censorship, free speech, and platform regulations.