Brazil's Supreme Court has lifted a ban on Elon Musk's social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, after the platform was suspended due to a dispute over disinformation. The ruling, issued on October 9, 2024, allows X to resume operations in Brazil, one of its largest markets.
Judge Alexandre de Moraes authorized the immediate return of X's activities after the company paid millions in fines for failing to comply with court orders related to online disinformation during Brazil's 2022 election campaign. Moraes instructed Brazil's communications regulator to restore access to the platform within 24 hours.
Musk, who has been vocal about his stance on free speech, has not publicly commented on the ruling. X expressed its commitment to defending freedom of speech while adhering to local laws through its Global Affairs account.
The suspension of X in Brazil came after the platform failed to appoint a legal representative in the country, as mandated by law. The dispute highlighted tensions between Musk and various governments, including those of Australia and the United Kingdom, over the management of misinformation online.
Before the ban, X had approximately 22 million users in Brazil. The resolution of this dispute underscores the ongoing challenges social media platforms face in navigating legal and regulatory frameworks globally.