Brazil's Supreme Court Lifts Ban on Social Media Platform X

Brazil's Supreme Court has lifted the ban on the social media platform X, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, after more than a month of suspension due to issues related to disinformation. Judge Alexandre de Moraes announced the ruling on Tuesday, allowing the platform to resume activities following X's compliance with court orders and payment of approximately $5.2 million in fines.

The ban originated in late August when de Moraes ordered X to be suspended after Musk refused to appoint a legal representative in Brazil. The tensions were fueled by accusations against X, including claims of obstruction, criminal organisation, and incitement related to digital militias spreading defamatory fake news and threats against Supreme Court justices. This conflict sparked a global discussion about the balance between freedom of expression and corporate responsibility.

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Judge's Ruling and X's Response

In his ruling, Moraes instructed Brazil's communications regulator to reinstate X’s access to its millions of users within 24 hours. X responded positively, stating, “X is proud to return to Brazil,” and emphasising its commitment to defending free speech within legal limits.

X Suspension Hits Brazil: Millions Shift to Alternative Platforms Amid Political Tensions

The suspension had a significant impact, with approximately 40 million Brazilians—about one-fifth of the population—using X at least once a month. Many users, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, migrated to alternative platforms such as Threads and Bluesky, although these have not matched the user base of X.

The confrontation between X and Moraes escalated during the October 2022 elections, following the defeat of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. The situation intensified after the January 2023 attacks by Bolsonaro supporters on federal buildings, drawing comparisons to the January 6 Capitol riots in the U.S.

Conclusion

Despite the resolution, Musk has not yet publicly reacted to the decision. X’s compliance with the court's demands highlights ongoing tensions between social media platforms and regulatory authorities in Brazil as the country navigates the complexities of misinformation and user safety.