Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has made a significant move to comply with Brazil’s Supreme Court orders, in hopes of lifting a ban imposed on the platform. The ban was initially put in place after X failed to meet legal requirements, including the appointment of a local representative and the blocking of accounts deemed harmful to Brazil’s democracy. The platform’s recent actions mark a shift in its approach, as it now attempts to follow court mandates to restore access in the country.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
The Legal Battle in Brazil
Last month, Brazil’s Supreme Court banned X for its failure to comply with two key demands. The court, led by Judge Alexandre de Moraes, ordered X to block certain accounts that were considered a threat to the country’s democracy and to appoint a legal representative for the platform’s operations in Brazil. When X failed to act on these orders, the court enforced a ban, cutting off access to the platform for Brazilian users.
To resolve the issue, X has now agreed to comply with the court’s demands. In a court filing, X’s lawyers stated that the platform would follow the directives issued by the court, including blocking the specified accounts and appointing Rachel de Oliveira Villa Nova Conceicao as the platform’s legal representative in Brazil. However, at the time of filing, X had not yet provided the necessary proof of this appointment, prompting the court to demand further documentation within five days.
In addition, the court instructed its secretary to verify whether the other orders had been fulfilled, such as blocking the accounts in question. The Supreme Court will review X’s compliance and determine whether the ban should be lifted.
The Shift in X’s Strategy
X’s decision to comply with Brazil’s Supreme Court comes as a surprise, considering its previous stance. The company had been openly critical of the court’s demands, with Musk and X’s team pushing back on the orders. Despite this, the mounting legal pressure has led the platform to shift its approach.
The company also recently faced accusations of trying to bypass the ban by switching to Cloudflare’s servers, which temporarily restored access for some Brazilian users. Brazilian authorities claimed that this move was intentional, prompting Judge Moraes to increase the daily fine for violating the ban to 5 million Brazilian reals, or over $900,000.
The significant financial penalties, alongside the risk of long-term damage to X’s presence in Brazil, have likely contributed to the platform’s recent cooperation.
TF Summary: What’s Next?
X’s decision to comply with Brazil’s Supreme Court orders begins to close this legal battle’s chapter in the country. As the court awaits verified documentation of the platform’s compliance, X’s operations in Brazil hinge on these next steps. If the platform successfully meets the court’s requirements, it could see full restoration in Brazil and avoid further fines. However, failure to act within the specified timeframe could lead to more severe consequences — including an extended or permanent ban.