Elon Musk to Follow Brazilian Court Orders to Restore X in Country

On September 21, 2023, billionaire Elon Musk announced that he would comply with court orders in Brazil to lift the ban on his social platform, X, previously known as Twitter. This move aims to resolve ongoing legal issues in the Latin American country.

Recently, Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes highlighted that the company had failed to submit appropriate documentation verifying the appointment of Rachel de Oliveira Conceicao as its official representative in Brazil. The court has mandated that X present the necessary documents within five days.

In addition, Justice de Moraes instructed the court’s secretary to evaluate whether prior orders had been followed within a 48-hour timeframe. Based on this assessment, the court will determine whether to reinstate access to X.

The ban on the platform commenced on August 30, causing significant disruption to users. On Friday, the company acknowledged its compliance with additional court directives. Furthermore, it reported that it had blocked several accounts responsible for spreading hate speech and misinformation, as noted by two sources familiar with the situation.

Musk, who is also the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has expressed his frustration regarding the ban. He took to X on the day the ban was implemented, saying, “Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes.” His comments underscore his belief in the fundamental importance of free speech.

Justice de Moraes has initiated a criminal investigation into Musk, accusing him of promoting disinformation through the platform. This inquiry adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal disputes surrounding X.

On a surprising note, the platform became accessible to Brazilian users again on Thursday after an automatic update altered the traffic direction. This change was reported by the country’s internet providers association, although the reasons for this sudden accessibility were unclear.

Moraes had previously ordered X to reapply a block on its site, threatening a daily fine of $907,000 for failing to comply, and accused the company of trying to “disobey” the court’s orders.

The user base of X in Brazil is substantial, with approximately 40 million out of the country’s 215 million citizens utilizing the platform. X itself boasts over 550 million monthly active users globally.

In a turn of events last week, the Brazilian government withdrew $3 million from the local bank accounts of both X and its satellite internet service, Starlink, to settle fines imposed by the Supreme Court. This action reflects the escalating tensions between the Brazilian government and Musk’s companies.

Musk responded to this seizure with a strong statement on September 2, declaring, “Unless the Brazilian government returns the illegally seized property of X and SpaceX, we will seek reciprocal seizure of government assets too. Hope Lula enjoys flying commercial.” This declaration highlights the contentious relationship between Musk and the Brazilian authorities.

As negotiations continue and legal frameworks are challenged, the future of X in Brazil remains uncertain. The platform’s ability to navigate the complex landscape of Brazilian law and public sentiment will be pivotal in restoring its presence in the country.