Supreme Court Restores Access to X in Brazil
The Supreme Court of Brazil (STF) has officially authorized the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to resume its operations in the country after a suspension that lasted since August 30. This significant ruling was made by Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who emphasized the necessity for X to adhere to Brazilian laws and respect the decisions of the judiciary, reinforcing the importance of national sovereignty. The court's decision follows a favorable recommendation from the Attorney General's Office (PGR), confirming that X has settled all outstanding fines totaling 4.8 million euros (approximately 28.6 million real) due to various regulatory violations.
In recent weeks, X's legal team has taken steps to comply with the court's requirements, including appointing Rachelde Oliveira Villa Nova Conceição as the company's legal representative in Brazil. This appointment was crucial as it addressed the judiciary's prior concerns regarding X's operations in the country. Furthermore, X has agreed to suspend nine accounts that were implicated in disseminating misinformation, which had been a core reason for the platform's suspension. With these conditions met, Judge de Moraes has granted a 24-hour window for the National Agency for Telecommunications (Anatel) to implement the necessary measures to restore X's services, which are expected to be active by tomorrow.
Background of the Suspension
The suspension of X was a result of the company's refusal to comply with Brazilian legal requirements, particularly the appointment of a local legal representative and the removal of content that was deemed harmful to the country's democratic integrity. The situation escalated tensions between Elon Musk, the owner of X, and Judge de Moraes, who faced accusations of infringing on freedom of expression. Musk's criticisms included mocking the judge on the platform, which drew significant attention.
Now that the Supreme Court has lifted the suspension, it marks a pivotal moment for X as it re-establishes its presence in Brazil, a key market for social media engagement. The court's decision not only restores access to the platform but also sets a precedent for how foreign companies must navigate local regulations in order to operate effectively within Brazil.
