Brazil Reinstates X

Social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), owned by Elon Musk, will resume operations in Brazil within 24 hours following a 8 October ruling by Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

This decision ends months of legal disputes, during which X paid a $5.5 million fine and implemented several changes to comply with Brazilian laws.

These changes include shutting down accounts spreading misinformation and appointing a legal representative, as required.

The platform was originally blocked on 30 August for failing to comply with court orders related to a misinformation investigation in Brazil.

Musk's Compliance with Regulatory Demands

Moraes said in a court document:

“The resumption of (X)'s activities on national territory was conditioned, solely, on full compliance with Brazilian laws and absolute observance of the Judiciary’s decisions, out of respect for national sovereignty.”

A spokesperson for X Global Government Affairs expressed the platform's pride in returning to Brazil.

Moraes detailed in his translated ruling:

“I hereby order the end of the suspension and authorize the immediate resumption of activities by X Brasil Internet Ltda. within the national territory. I also instruct Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency) to take the necessary steps to implement this measure, with a report to this Supreme Court within 24 (twenty-four) hours.”

One key factor in its reinstatement was the recent payment of 28.6 million Brazilian reais (approximately $5.5 million) in fines.

This sum included penalties for non-compliance, as well as additional fines due to a technical issue with Cloudflare servers that allowed some users to access the platform despite its suspension.

The payment was confirmed on 7 October, following a mix-up where the funds were mistakenly deposited into the wrong account on 4 October.

After being transferred to the correct account, X also complied with court orders to ban user accounts responsible for spreading fake news, particularly during Brazil's election period.

Moraes, who has been investigating the platform since 2023 for enabling the spread of misinformation, mandated these actions as essential for the platform's return.

X’s CEO Linda Yaccarino also expressed her joy at X's reinstatement.

After months of legal disputes and failure to comply, X has now taken steps to meet local regulations, including appointing a legal representative in Brazil and banning users accused of spreading misinformation about the electoral process and judicial system.

Has Musk's Feud with Justice Moraes Ended?

The reinstatement of X marks the conclusion of a prolonged legal conflict between Musk and Moraes.

Musk had publicly criticised Moraes, accusing him of using "illegal" methods to coerce X into censoring content, even labeling the justice as "evil" and a "dictator."

Musk argued that the court's actions amounted to politically motivated censorship.

However, Moraes, known for his strict stance on combating misinformation, remained steadfast in demanding full cooperation from the platform with Brazilian authorities.

In recent weeks, Musk shifted his position, complying with the court's orders and fulfilling the necessary legal requirements for X to resume operations in Brazil.

This compliance, including banning accounts involved in spreading misinformation and addressing regulatory demands, led to the court lifting the platform's ban.

With X now back online, Brazilian users can once again access the platform without restrictions.

This development represents a significant shift for Musk's social media platform, restoring its presence in one of its key international markets.

Moraes' firm stance has proven resilient against Musk's attempts to challenge him through public criticism and strong rhetoric.

However, whether this marks the end of their ongoing conflict remains to be seen.

Only time will reveal if tensions between the two have truly been resolved or trouble is left to brew.