Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has requested Brazil’s Supreme Court to lift its ban after complying with court orders to address misinformation. The ban was imposed in late August when Musk refused to follow directives aimed at curbing misinformation in one of X’s largest markets.
The Supreme Court, led by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, enacted the ban as part of a wider effort to combat misinformation and protect democracy. Initially resistant, Musk even closed X’s offices in Brazil, which further escalated tensions. The ban also affected Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink.
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Brazil, with about 21.5 million users, is X’s sixth-largest market and became a critical battleground for Musk against regulatory actions. However, Musk has shifted his approach, appointing a local legal representative as required by the court and blocking nine accounts under investigation for hate speech and misinformation.
This change is perceived as a pragmatic strategy by Musk to regain access to the Brazilian market, especially after realizing the local support for Justice Moraes. According to Rubens Barbosa, a former Brazilian ambassador to the U.S., Musk’s compliance indicates a recognition that legal rulings must be respected.
The Supreme Court has not yet decided on X’s reinstatement, but services are expected to resume shortly. Despite Musk’s emphasis on free speech, X has indicated it will adhere to local laws moving forward.
In a separate controversy, Musk’s proposal to modify X’s block feature has drawn significant backlash. He suggested removing the block button, leading to the trending hashtag #BlockElon. Users expressed concerns over safety and privacy, highlighting the importance of the block function in preventing harassment. No timeline has been provided for this potential change.
