Brazil’s Supreme Court has lifted a ban on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Justice Alexandre de Moraes announced the “immediate return” of X’s services in the country after the platform paid significant fines and blocked accounts accused of spreading misinformation.
X has paid a total of 28 million reais (approximately $5.1 million) and has agreed to appoint a local representative, as required by Brazilian law. The ban had been imposed when X refused to remove several profiles identified by the government as spreading false information regarding the 2022 Brazilian presidential election.
Brazil’s telecoms regulator, Anatel, has been directed to ensure that services are restored for over 20 million users within 24 hours. After months of ignoring court orders, Elon Musk, who owns X, laid off the company’s Brazilian staff in late August and closed its office in Brazil.
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Musk, a self-proclaimed “free-speech absolutist,” had criticized Justice Moraes’ decision to ban certain accounts as an abuse of power and a violation of free speech rights. Following this, the entire platform was blocked in Brazil.
During the ban, many users turned to alternative platforms like Bluesky, and the demand for VPNs surged. However, by September, X began to comply with court orders, signaling a change in its approach.
On Tuesday, X announced it was “proud to return to Brazil,” emphasizing the importance of providing access to its platform for millions of Brazilians. It seems that X has now met all of the judge’s requirements to lift the ban.
Brazil is a significant market for X, with around 22 million users, making it the largest market for the platform in Latin America.