Brazil Lifts Ban on Elon Musk’s X After $5 Million Fine Payment
Brazil’s Supreme Court has lifted its ban on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, following the company’s compliance with court orders and the payment of a $5.1 million fine. Justice Alexandre de Moraes authorized the immediate restoration of X’s services in the country after it met the legal requirements imposed for failing to curb misinformation.
The platform, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, had been fined 28 million reais (approximately $5.1 million) and was instructed to appoint a local representative, as mandated by Brazilian law. The ban was originally enforced when X refused to block accounts accused of spreading misinformation during the 2022 Brazilian Presidential election.
Brazil’s telecom regulator, Anatel, has been directed to ensure that X’s services resume within 24 hours for its estimated 22 million users in the country.
Musk, a self-declared advocate for free speech, had previously described the court’s decision to block accounts as an overreach of power. However, after months of non-compliance and the closure of X’s Brazilian office, the platform reversed its stance in September and began cooperating with the court’s orders.
In a statement, X expressed pride in returning to Brazil, highlighting the importance of maintaining access for millions of Brazilian users. Brazil is one of the platform’s largest markets globally, and its largest in Latin America.
The platform’s restoration marks the end of a contentious legal battle, with X now fully compliant with the court’s conditions.
