Brazil lifted its ban on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after owner Elon Musk complied with the country’s demands.
On Tuesday, Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes approved X’s reinstatement, more than a month after it was shut down nationwide, according to court documents released to the public.
Musk’s platform was blocked on August 30 in the country, one of X’s largest markets, with a population of 213 million and an estimated user base of 20 million to 40 million. The closure was ordered by Mr. de Moraes following a months-long conflict with Mr. Musk over issues including free speech, far-right accounts and the spread of misinformation. Even though de Moraes’ decisions, including the suspension of X, have been repeatedly upheld by courts, Musk has publicly criticized the jurist, calling him an authoritarian and a censor.
Last month, Mr. de Moraes asked Mr. Musk to name a legal representative for X in Brazil or the platform would be banned in the country.
“Elon Musk has shown complete contempt for Brazil’s sovereignty, especially its judiciary, and has presented himself as a true supranational entity, exempt from national laws,” de Moraes wrote in his ruling last month. “We have set ourselves up in a position where we can
Elon Musk attended the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2024 held in Cannes, France on June 19th. Brazil lifted its ban on Musk’s X platform on Tuesday. Elon Musk attended the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2024 held in Cannes, France on June 19th. Brazil lifted its ban on Musk’s X platform on Tuesday. Mark Piasecki/Getty Images
Despite Mr. Musk’s defiant public stance, Mr. X ultimately complied with all of Mr. de Moraes’ demands. These included blocking certain accounts, paying unpaid fines, and appointing legal representatives in Brazil, a requirement that initially led to suspension of the platform if ignored.
“The resumption of (X)’s activities within national territory is conditioned solely on full compliance with Brazilian law and absolute compliance with the decisions of the judiciary, out of respect for national sovereignty,” de Moraes said in a court filing this week. ” he said.
X did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
Just two days before the platform was banned, X announced on August 28 that it would lay off all remaining staff in Brazil “effective immediately.” The company claimed that Mr. de Moraes threatened to arrest his legal representative, Rachel de Oliveira Villa Nova Conceição, if X did not comply with orders to block certain accounts.
Under Brazilian law, foreign companies are required to have local legal representation to handle court notices and ensure compliance, particularly in the case of Company X, account deletions. Conceição was appointed head of X in April, but resigned four months later. The company reappointed him to the same position on September 20, according to a public filing with the Sao Paulo Commercial Registry.
A clause was added to her new agency contract to protect Conceição from potential law violations by X and to avoid the risk of arrest. The filing states that Ms. Conceição must comply with Brazilian law and court decisions and that any legal liability she assumes on behalf of X requires written instructions from the company. There is.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.