Brazil’s Supreme Court has made a groundbreaking decision to lift the ban on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after months of legal battles and controversy.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes announced the “immediate return” of X’s activities in the country following the platform’s payment of hefty fines and the blocking of accounts accused of spreading misinformation. The site has reportedly paid fines totaling 28 million reais and agreed to appoint a local representative as required by Brazilian law.
The ban was initially imposed after X, owned by Elon Musk, refused to comply with government demands to ban profiles spreading misinformation about the 2022 Brazilian Presidential election. Musk, known for his stance as a “free-speech absolutist”, had criticized the court’s actions as an abuse of power and violation of free speech.
After months of defiance, Musk fired the company’s Brazilian staff and closed X’s office in Brazil. This move led to widespread disruption for over 20 million users in the country, prompting many to seek alternative platforms and VPN services.
However, in a surprising turn of events, X began to comply with the court’s orders in September, leading to the eventual lifting of the ban. The platform expressed its pride in returning to Brazil and reaffirmed its commitment to providing access to millions of users in the country.
Brazil is a key market for X globally, with an estimated 22 million users, making it the largest market for the platform in Latin America. The resolution of this legal battle marks a significant moment for freedom of speech and social media regulation in Brazil.
