Brazil’s Supreme Court Restores X Platform Access After Compliance with Legal Demands
Staff Editor Brazilian Supreme Court Lifts Ban on X, Platform Resumes Operations
In a significant development for social media users in Brazil, Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Brazilian Supreme Court has authorized the restoration of platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The decision comes after a contentious period that saw the platform blocked on August 30 due to disputes over free speech, misinformation, and compliance with Brazilian laws.
The restoration follows X’s compliance with court demands, including blocking certain accounts, paying fines, and appointing a legal representative in Brazil. The platform’s return was contingent on its adherence to Brazilian laws and judicial decisions. As of the announcement, X had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
The ban came shortly after X had removed its staff in Brazil, citing threats of arrest against its legal representative. Brazilian law mandates that foreign companies maintain a local legal representative for court notifications and actions. In response, Rachel de Oliveira Villa Nova Conceição was reappointed as X’s legal representative, with specific clauses to protect her from legal risks.
Critics argue that X’s operational strategy, which involves using BR4Business for legal representation, demonstrates minimal engagement with Brazil compared to other tech giants like Meta and Google. Concerns persist about how X will manage future interactions with Brazilian authorities.
The ban’s impact on X’s user base in Brazil remains uncertain, with some users reportedly migrating to alternative platforms such as Meta’s Threads and Bluesky. Bluesky, in particular, reported significant growth in Brazil during this period.
Brazil’s ban on X was unusual for a democratic country, drawing comparisons to actions typically seen in authoritarian regimes. The situation echoes X’s past conflicts with the Indian government over content moderation.
Economic considerations likely played a role in X owner Elon Musk’s decision to comply with Brazilian authorities. Brazil represents X’s third-largest market, and losing access could have significant financial implications for the platform, which relies heavily on advertising revenue in the country.
As X resumes operations in Brazil, the tech industry and social media users alike will be watching closely to see how the platform navigates its relationship with Brazilian authorities and maintains its user base in this crucial market.
