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Starlink is refusing to comply with Brazil's X ban (Update: Starlink will comply)
(www.engadget.com)
this post was submitted on 02 Sep 2024
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Interesting. Yeah, I was too lazy to look it up and instead cracked a joke.
But, isn't that law kinda expensive? Or does it only apply in certain conditions (like company size or sth)?
And what's stopping Musk from just putting an underpaid intern for compliance?
They require a representative in order to establish a chain of responsibility that deals with crime, censorship, social health (lol), public relations, etc.
It does come down to a combination of size, influence, services rendered, and other factors.
He could put a random kid in charge but it would make it worse, like putting a busboy in a chef's hat during Rush hour.
What I find difficult to understand, is that they require said chap to be physically in the country.
Unless said law only works in case the company has a physical presence in the country (which it does, in this case), I feel it hard to get the logic to apply it to an internet service.
It's a common thing in many countries. It's, among other things, a liability issue.
If your "country #1" company does business in "country #2" then what laws apply to them?
In order to distinguish clear lines what "country #2" requires is a representative for the company to be in the country. If the company breaks "country #2"'s laws then the representative is liable for it.
Generally to be a representative you have to have a measurable stake in the transaction, you can't just be a random Jimbo, so it usually falls to a law firm (or an entity that works with one), mainly because if you need people to help your company follow the law, then they should know the law.
If the company breaks the law, the firm has to deal with that, so it's a risk for them.
In this case, X needed that representative, either they couldn't or wouldn't find one, therefore Brazil said "we can't hold you accountable to our laws, so get out of our country."
I'm super, MEGA, oversimplifying, and I'm no expert, but this is my best understanding.
Thanks, that definitely made it very simple to understand.
Still not 100% convinced on the applicability under various conditions^[and if I want to be, perhaps I should stop being lazy and go read the law], but I understand it from the Government POV. Kinda similar to the country-country hostage exchange we see in stories, which makes sure the other would have a reason not to renege on some agreement, even if they don't have a reason for mutual trust.