Brazil’s Supreme Court has lifted the ban on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, following its compliance with court orders and payment of substantial fines.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes authorized the “immediate return” of X’s operations in the country after it paid fines amounting to 28 million reais ($5.1m; £3.8m) and blocked accounts accused of spreading misinformation.
The platform also appointed a local representative, in accordance with Brazilian law.
The ban had been imposed when X, owned by Elon Musk, refused to remove several profiles accused of spreading misinformation about the 2022 Brazilian Presidential election.
In response, Justice Moraes had ordered the platform’s shutdown. Brazil’s telecom regulator, Anatel, was directed to restore the platform’s access for over 20 million users within 24 hours.
Musk had earlier criticized the court’s actions, calling the blocking of accounts an “abuse of power” and a breach of free speech.
Following his defiance, X’s offices in Brazil were closed, and its staff were dismissed in late August. At the time, Musk described the decision as difficult.
However, X eventually reversed its stance and began complying with court orders in September.
On Tuesday, the company expressed its satisfaction, stating it was “proud to return to Brazil” and emphasizing the importance of providing “tens of millions of Brazilians” access to its platform.
X has now met all of the court’s requirements to have the ban lifted.
Brazil remains one of the platform’s largest markets globally, with approximately 22 million users, making it the biggest in Latin America.
During the ban, many users shifted to alternative platforms like Bluesky, and VPN usage in the country surged.
Source-BBC
