X reopens in Brazil after $5 million fines, complies with court orders

Brazil’s Supreme Court lifted its ban on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after the company complied with court orders and paid 28 million reais ($5.1 million) in fines. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who imposed the ban for the platform’s refusal to block accounts accused of spreading misinformation about the 2022 Brazilian presidential election, authorized X’s return.

The company also appointed a local representative, a requirement under Brazilian law.

The ban was initially imposed after X, owned by Elon Musk, defied multiple court orders to remove several profiles spreading misinformation. The move led to what the Brazilian government described as a violation of its electoral laws.

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In response to these actions, Musk, a self-described “free speech absolutist,” fired X’s Brazilian staff in August 2024 and closed the company’s office in the country. He publicly criticized de Moraes’ decision, calling it an abuse of power and a violation of free speech.

Following continued defiance, the court extended its actions by ordering the entire platform to be blocked across Brazil. Many users migrated to alternative platforms such as Bluesky, while the demand for virtual private networks (VPNs) surged in the country.

However, in September 2024, X reversed its stance and began complying with the court’s orders, leading to the current decision to lift the ban. Anatel, Brazil’s telecom watchdog, was instructed to ensure that service to the platform’s more than 22 million Brazilian users was restored within 24 hours.

In a statement, X said it was “proud to return to Brazil,” emphasizing the importance of giving access to millions of Brazilians who use the platform. Brazil is one of X’s largest markets globally and the biggest in Latin America.