Elon Musk’s social platform, X, is poised to come back online in Brazil after paying one final fine. According to a decision by Alexandre de Moraes, Brazil’s top justice, the platform must pay 10 million reals (approximately $2 million) for its non-compliance with court orders. This payment follows a series of legal challenges after X, formerly known as Twitter, defied orders to remove specific accounts, leading to its suspension across Brazil in late August.
Defiance and Legal Battles
The legal battle began in April when de Moraes initiated an investigation into Musk and X for allegedly obstructing justice. Musk, who closed X’s Brazil offices in August and left the platform without a legal representative, defied court orders to take down certain accounts, claiming censorship and calling de Moraes a “criminal.” The STF froze the assets of both X and Musk’s satellite internet business, Starlink, in response.
A Return to Compliance
X’s compliance filing earlier this month signals its attempt to resolve the conflict. However, it now faces increased competition in Brazil from platforms like Meta’s Threads and Bluesky, which gained traction during its suspension. X’s legal representative in Brazil, Rachel de Oliveira, is also required to pay a separate fine of 300,000 reals.
Future Implications for Big Tech
Legal experts say the STF’s actions against X could influence how other large tech companies view the Brazilian court system. Despite Musk’s pushback, X’s Global Government Affairs emphasized the platform’s commitment to free speech, within the law, and its importance for Brazil’s democracy.
