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

Oct 09, 2024

Craig Nigrelli Anchor

By Craig Nigrelli (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer), Kaleb Gillespie (Video Editor)

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.

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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.

Tags: Brazil, Elon Musk, Free Speech, Twitter, X

[CRAIG NIGRELLI]

BRAZIL’S SUPREME COURT HAS LIFTED THE BAN ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM X, FORMERLY KNOWN AS TWITTER, AFTER THE COMPANY COMPLIED WITH COURT ORDERS AND PAID SIGNIFICANT FINES. JUSTICE ALEXANDRE DE MORAES AUTHORIZED THE PLATFORM’S “IMMEDIATE RETURN” TO THE COUNTRY AFTER X BLOCKED ACCOUNTS ACCUSED OF SPREADING MISINFORMATION ABOUT THE 2022 BRAZILIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. THE PLATFORM PAID 5 MILLION IN FINES AND AGREED TO APPOINT A LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE — REQUIRED BY BRAZILIAN LAW.

THE BAN ON X WAS IMPOSED AFTER THE COMPANY, OWNED BY ELON MUSK, REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH ORDERS TO REMOVE CERTAIN PROFILES. IN RESPONSE, MUSK SHUT DOWN X’S BRAZIL OFFICE AND LAID OFF STAFF IN LATE AUGUST, CRITICIZING THE COURT’S ACTIONS AS A VIOLATION OF FREE SPEECH. HOWEVER, IN SEPTEMBER, X REVERSED ITS STANCE AND BEGAN COMPLYING WITH THE COURT’S DEMANDS, LEADING TO THE BAN BEING LIFTED.

ANATEL, BRAZIL’S TELECOM WATCHDOG, HAS BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE THAT SERVICE IS RESTORED FOR THE PLATFORM’S 22 MILLION USERS IN THE COUNTRY WITHIN 24 HOURS. X ISSUED A STATEMENT EXPRESSING ITS PRIDE IN RETURNING TO BRAZIL AND EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING MILLIONS OF BRAZILIANS ACCESS TO THE PLATFORM.

BRAZIL IS ONE OF X’S LARGEST MARKETS GLOBALLY, AND THE PLATFORM’S RETURN HIGHLIGHTS ITS ONGOING SIGNIFICANCE IN THE COUNTRY.

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