Brazil’s telecom regulator ordered Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider to stop providing access to X, but Musk’s company refused, so the conflict between the two countries has now reached the stars—or the Starlink, at least. Background: In the midst of a larger dispute with the firm over an order to suspend accounts that the court claims disseminate hate speech and misinformation, Brazil’s Supreme Court last week ordered all internet providers in the largest economy in Latin America to limit access to X. That order was issued in response to X accumulating fines of approximately $3 million, which Brazil is currently attempting to collect by seizing the local assets of Starlink, an independent business from X.

Starlink has promised Brazilians free internet connectivity while the case is ongoing and says it won’t abide by the decision to block X until those assets are unfrozen. Brazil boasts over 40 million monthly users, making it one of X’s largest markets. However, as this heated dispute over free expression vs. national sovereignty intensifies, both sides have become more entrenched. What comes next? Although it is difficult for the Brazilian government to prevent Starlink signals from reaching consumers, it may close about two dozen ground stations that are a component of the company’s network there.