Brazil lifts ban on X after platform complies with court orders

Brazil’s Supreme Court has lifted the ban on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the platform complied with legal requirements. Justice Alexandre de Moraes authorized the decision following X’s payment of fines totaling 28 million reais ($5.1 million) and the removal of accounts accused of spreading misinformation during the 2022 presidential election.

X, owned by Elon Musk, initially resisted blocking these accounts, leading to a court-ordered suspension. Musk, a vocal advocate of free speech, criticized the move as an overreach of judicial power.

Following months of defiance, X closed its Brazilian office and dismissed local staff in August.

However, in September, the platform reversed its stance and began complying with the court’s orders, including appointing a local representative. This compliance allowed for the platform’s reinstatement.

Brazil’s telecom regulator, Anatel, has been instructed to restore full access to X’s 22 million users within 24 hours. During the platform’s suspension, many Brazilians turned to alternatives like Bluesky, with VPN usage also spiking.

In a statement, X said it was “proud to return to Brazil” and emphasized the importance of access for millions of users in the country. Brazil remains a key market for the platform, particularly within Latin America.

The legal resolution marks a significant step for X in maintaining its operations in one of its largest global markets.

Source: bbc.com