Elon Musk Concedes to Brazilian Court, Reopening X After Suspension
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, has taken steps to comply with demands from Brazil’s Supreme Court, effectively ending a three-week impasse that had blocked access to one of its largest markets, the Washington Post reports.
This standoff raised questions about whether Musk or Judge Alexandre de Moraes would yield first in their ongoing conflict.
Following the suspension of X due to Musk’s refusal to adhere to a court order, the company announced on Friday that it would appoint a legal representative in Brazil and block accounts linked to misinformation, as accused by Moraes. Additionally, it has made efforts to pay off outstanding fines imposed by the court.
In response, Moraes issued a brief judicial order requiring further documentation from X and gave the company five days to finalize its legal standing in Brazil. However, he did not specify when X might resume operations in the country.
Musk’s compliance has been viewed as a significant concession, particularly given his public stance as a proponent of free speech. In Brazil, he has faced staunch opposition from Moraes, who is known for his rigorous efforts against misinformation.
The two figures represent contrasting approaches: Musk, a high-profile billionaire known for his controversial remarks, and Moraes, a judicious figure who communicates through formal legal language. Their conflict intensified over the past months, with Musk referring to Moraes as a “dictator” and Moraes including Musk in a criminal investigation related to misinformation.
Tensions escalated in August when Musk declined to suspend accounts targeted by Moraes, prompting the judge to escalate fines and eventually suspend X. This led to a drop in user engagement on the platform as many Brazilians turned to alternative social media.
Despite Musk’s previous resistance, Brazilian officials recently accused X of attempting to circumvent the suspension, which resulted in further legal action and fines. Shortly thereafter, X appointed a new legal representative in Brazil, indicating a shift in strategy.
The resolution of this standoff has been met with relief by many in Brazil, who viewed the suspension as an extreme measure but also recognized the importance of respecting the country’s judiciary. An editorial from the newspaper O Globo stated that while the suspension was necessary for national sovereignty, it should not be prolonged.
