Brazil’s Supreme Court has cleared the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to resume operations in the country, concluding a months-long standoff between the platform’s owner, Elon Musk, and Brazilian authorities.
The platform was suspended in late August after Musk refused to comply with court orders aimed at curbing misinformation and anti-democratic content. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who spearheaded the enforcement of Brazilian law, granted X the green light on Tuesday after the company met several legal requirements.
These requirements included paying substantial fines, appointing a local legal representative, and blocking accounts flagged for disseminating harmful content. X’s compliance marks a significant shift for Musk, who had previously criticized these actions as censorship and labeled Justice Moraes a “dictator.”
The decision to reinstate X was celebrated by Brazilian officials as a victory for the rule of law. Communication Minister Juscelino Filho remarked that the case demonstrated that even powerful multinational companies must adhere to the country’s regulations. “We showed the world that our laws must be respected, regardless of who you are,” Filho stated.
Brazil, which ranks as X’s sixth-largest global market with over 21 million users, has emerged as a focal point in the battle against online disinformation. The Supreme Court’s suspension of X was in response to Musk’s failure to appoint a local representative, settle fines, and comply with various rulings aimed at combating the spread of far-right misinformation. These measures were deemed essential for maintaining democracy, especially after the January 2023 riots in Brasília, which experts partly attributed to incendiary content circulating on social media.
Initially, Musk resisted the suspension, claiming it infringed on free speech and withdrew X’s legal representation from the country. He even likened Justice Moraes to the villain Voldemort in a public post. However, in recent weeks, Musk’s stance softened.
X appointed Brazilian lawyer Rachel de Oliveira Conceicao as its local representative and complied with court orders by blocking nine accounts linked to disinformation campaigns. Justice Moraes ordered Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, to restore X’s services within 24 hours. Although users were still unable to access the platform as of Tuesday evening, it was expected to be available soon.
In response to the court’s decision, X’s Global Affairs account stated that the platform was “proud to return to Brazil” and reiterated its commitment to free speech within the confines of local laws.
Musk’s decision to comply with Brazilian court orders is seen as a pragmatic move, especially given the support for Moraes’ efforts among the Brazilian public. With municipal elections underway, X’s return comes at a crucial time, though many users had already migrated to alternative platforms like Bluesky and Threads during the suspension.
Pro-democracy groups hailed the resolution as a win for Brazilian sovereignty and democracy. “This wasn’t about censorship,” remarked political commentator Gerson Camarotti on GloboNews. “It was about respecting judicial decisions.”
As X prepares to come back online, this episode highlights the challenges Musk faces in navigating global regulations while upholding his vision of free speech.
