Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Brazil’s Supreme Court Lifts Ban on X

POSTED ON October 9, 2024 •   World      BY Benedicta Bassey
X Owner, Elon Musk and Supreme Court Justice, Alexandre de Moraes/ Photo credit: The Guardian

Brazil’s Supreme Court has lifted the ban slammed on social media platform X, following compliance with court rulings that owner Elon Musk had previously resisted.

The decision came after months of tension between the platform and the Brazilian judiciary, culminating in X reversing its stance and fulfilling the court’s demands.

The ban stemmed from Musk’s failure to appoint a local representative and settle millions of dollars in fines. This situation arose amid a politically charged conflict between the billionaire owner and Brazil’s Supreme Court, which aimed to combat the spread of far-right misinformation and anti-democratic content on the platform. Experts and authorities in Brazil have linked the proliferation of such content to the far-right riots that occurred in Brasília in January 2023.

 Musk’s response to the ban was combative; he labeled Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes a dictator and mocked him on social media. Recently, however, Musk appeared to relent, paying 28.6 million reais (£3.9 million) in fines and appointing a Brazilian lawyer as X’s local representative, thereby meeting the country’s legal requirements.

Supreme Court Justice, led by Alexandre de Moraes, who had been engaged in a public feud with Musk over the platform’s non-compliance, announced that X had now met the legal requirements necessary to restart services in Brazil.

He said, “X has fulfilled all the conditions required to resume its activities."

Musk, earlier condemn the court orders as “censorship” and referred to Justice Moraes as a “dictator,” began altering his position in recent weeks.

The social media network, under Musk’s leadership, has started complying with the court’s orders by blocking flagged accounts, appointing a local legal representative, and paying fines that had previously been ignored.

Justice Moraes, in his ruling, instructed Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, to ensure that X is reactivated within 24 hours.

Elon Musk Ordered to Appoint X Representative in Brazil or Face Platform Suspension

X, through its Global Affairs account, expressed optimism about its return to Brazil.

“We are proud to be back in Brazil and will continue to defend freedom of speech, within the boundaries of the law,” the company stated.

Brazil’s communication minister, Juscelino Filho, welcomed X’s compliance, calling it a “victory for the country.” In a statement, Filho said, “We showed the world that here our laws should be respected, by whomever it may be.”

The dispute between X and the Brazilian authorities is part of a broader pattern of clashes between Musk, who has positioned himself as a free speech advocate, and governments worldwide.

Recall that Justice Moraes, who has been leading efforts to combat disinformation and protect democracy, suspended X after the platform defied court orders.

The suspension was later backed by a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, including its chief justice.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva supported the suspension, asserting that companies operating in Brazil must adhere to local laws.

“The world is not obliged to tolerate Musk’s far-right ideology just because he is rich,” Lula remarked, emphasizing that businesses must respect Brazilian law.

Initially, X had refused to comply, labeling the rulings “illegal.” However, the Supreme Court signaled it would reconsider the suspension if the platform changed course and followed court orders.

Brazil is a key market for X, with approximately 21.5 million users as of April, making it the company’s sixth-largest market globally. During the suspension, many users migrated to competing platforms like Bluesky and Meta-owned Threads.

With the court ruling now in place, X is expected to be fully operational in Brazil shortly, resuming its role in one of its largest markets.

READ ALSO
Trump Ban Nationals from 12 Countries amid Security Concerns
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

President Donald Trump has enacted a new proclamation prohibiting citizens from 12 nations from ente...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Honors Bill Gates with National Award for Global Philanthropy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu commended Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and chairma...

READ ALSO
Bahrain, Colombia, DRC, Latvia, and Liberia Join UN Security Council for 2026-2027 Term
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

The UN General Assembly on Tuesday elected five new non-permanent members to the UN Security Council...

READ ALSO
60,000 Nigerians Abroad Register on Diaspora Data Mapping Portal
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 3, 2025 0

Approximately 60,000 Nigerians residing overseas have registered on the Diaspora Data Mapping Portal...

READ ALSO
30 Confirmed Dead as Heavy Rains Batter Northeast India
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 1, 2025 0

Severe flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rainfall in India's northeast over the...

READ ALSO
China to Advocate for African Rights on Global Stage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The Chinese Counselor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shen Sha, has reiterated China's strong de...

READ ALSO
China-Africa Institute to Launch First Museum in China Celebrating African History and Culture
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The China-Africa Institute, part of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has unveiled plans to cr...

READ ALSO
Botswana's Speaker Lauds China's Commitment to African Development
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana, Dithapelo Keorapetse, has praised China for its de...

OUR CHANNELS:

Moses Simon Completes Move to Paris FC for €7 Million
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

As reported by French news source Foot Mercato, Paris FC, a newly-promoted team in French Ligue 1, h...


Osimhen's Impressive Loan Spell Fuels Transfer Speculation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

Nigerian international Victor Osimhen remains at the center of significant transfer rumors, with Ita...


NDLEA Calls for Collective Action Against Drug Abuse in Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has urged Nigerians and state governments to take r...


Tor Tiv Urges President Tinubu to Foster Lasting Peace in Benue State
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, expressed that President Bola Tinubu has the ability to bring lasti...


Desperate Investments: Why Nigerians Turn to Ponzi Schemes for Survival
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

At a modest internet café tucked away in Egbeda, a bustling Lagos suburb, 29-year-old Chidi O...


Benue Declares Holiday for President Tinubu’s Visit Amid Security Concerns
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 18, 2025 0

BENUE, Nigeria - To facilitate open discussions between residents of Benue State and President Bola...


Samuel Chukwueze Faces Uncertain Future at AC Milan Amid Transfer Speculation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

The winger for the Super Eagles,Samuel Chukwueze,finds himself in a precarious position at AC Milan...


Tottenham Hotspur Eyes Raphael Onyedika as Summer Transfer Target
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

Tottenham Hotspur is in the running to acquire midfielder Raphael Onyedika from Club Brugge, heighte...


Can Memes Drive Voter Engagement? New Research Explores the Dual Impact
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 18, 2025 0

In Nigeria’s fast-scrolling digital world, memes are no longer just for laughs, they are part...


Dele-Bashiru Set for Role Change Under Lazio's Maurizio Sarri
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 18, 2025 0

Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru may be poised for a change in his role under manager Mau...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu