Brazil lifts ban on X as Elon Musk pays fine, complies with court orders

Social media platform X

After being banned for more than a month, Elon Musk's social media platform X has been reinstated in Brazil. The Brazilian Supreme Court's Justice Alexandre de Moraes authorised the restoration of X's service on following compliance with the court's demands.

The suspension, which began on August 30, 2024, was part of a broader dispute over free speech, far-right accounts, and misinformation. De Moraes had ordered the shutdown after a months-long disagreement with Musk, who had publicly criticised the judge, calling him an authoritarian and a censor. Musk called De Moraes “Voldemort” and a “fake judge” when the ban had started. However, both Musk and X seem to have backtracked and complied with the conditions laid by Brazil.

In a statement, the Brazilian Supreme Court said, “The company complied with the conditions stipulated by the rapporteur, Minister Alexandre de Moraes, and the platform may once again be used by Brazilians.”

X had shut down its offices in Brazil and laid off all the employees. Brazil is a key market for the social media platform with an estimated user base of 20 to 40 million. Musk had earlier refused to comply with the country’s demands. However, it paid a fine of close to $5 million, agreed to the blocking specific accounts, and appointing a legal representative in Brazil.

“X is proud to return to Brazil. Giving tens of millions of Brazilians access to our indispensable platform was paramount throughout this entire process. We will continue to defend freedom of speech, within the boundaries of the law, everywhere we operate,” said the social media platform in a post.