Elon Musk’s X resumes operations in Brazil

Brasil de Fato

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has authorized the unblocking of the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, in Brazil. The decision was announced on Tuesday (8), and the platform can now be accessed anytime.  

Moraes announced a day after the company regularly paid the fines it owed, which had been mistakenly deposited in another Brazilian bank account. With the payment confirmed by the Supreme Court (STF, in Portuguese) on Monday (7), X’s request to unblock the platform was sent to the Attorney General’s Office (PGR, in Portuguese), which gave a positive opinion.  Moraes, the case rapporteur, then allowed the social network to operate.  

Previously, on September 21, the social network complied with the STF’s orders to appoint a legal representative in the country and suspend accounts of users under investigation for alleged crimes.  

The platform’s suspension began in August when the company refused to comply with court rulings ordering it to block profiles accused of spreading disinformation and anti-democratic content.  

At that time, X also announced the closure of its operations in the country, including shutting down its local office and dismissing its legal representation in Brazil. The blockade followed repeated attempts by the STF to ensure compliance with judicial orders.  

Moraes argued that the platform was being used to spread content threatening democratic stability and national security.  

During the suspension period, X was inaccessible throughout the country. Internet providers and app stores were forced to block access to the platform.  

The billionaire owner of the social network, Elon Musk, reacted to the suspension with a series of public criticisms aimed at the minister and the Brazilian judicial system. He even called the magistrate a “fake judge” and accused him of practicing “extreme corruption.”  

Additionally, Musk published a comment stating that “Brazil is controlled by a tyrannical dictator disguised as a judge.” The billionaire also suggested that Brazil was living under a “judicial dictatorship.”  

After requesting the resumption of activities, the platform changed its tone and tried to distance itself from the businessman’s stance. On Wednesday (27), an official statement published by the social network’s Government Affairs account expressed a commitment to legality.  

“X is dedicated to protecting freedom of expression within the limits of the law, and we recognize and respect the sovereignty of the countries we operate in,” is written in the note.