Brazil’s Supreme Court has lifted the ban on Elon Musk’s social network X, formerly known as Twitter, ending a month-long standoff over issues related to disinformation. Judge Alexandre de Moraes authorized the platform’s immediate return, following X’s compliance with court orders and the payment of approximately $5.2 million in fines.
The dispute reached a critical point on August 31, when Moraes blocked X for failing to deactivate the accounts of numerous supporters of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro. The judge also demanded the appointment of a new legal representative for X in Brazil, heightening tensions between Musk, who has labeled himself a “free speech absolutist,” and Brazilian authorities.
Musk did not immediately comment on the court’s ruling. Throughout the conflict, he referred to Moraes as an “evil dictator” and likened him to “Voldemort” from the Harry Potter series. Moraes, supported by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, accused X of undermining democracy through the proliferation of disinformation, particularly during Brazil’s 2022 election campaign.
The controversy attracted global attention, as it highlighted the ongoing debate between freedom of expression and corporate accountability. Before the ban, X had around 22 million users in Brazil, one of its largest markets. Following the suspension, many Brazilian users migrated to alternative platforms like Threads and Bluesky, though none have matched X’s extensive user base.
As part of its compliance, X addressed all of Moraes’s requirements, paving the way for the ban’s reversal. The court’s decision comes as a relief to Brazilian users eager to return to the platform, which remains a significant hub for social media engagement in the country.
Sources By Agencies