Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, is making a strong push to return to Brazil after being banned from the country. The platform was banned in late August following a dispute with a local judge who accused X of failing to adequately control misinformation. Musk, known for his outspoken views, publicly criticized the judge, labeling him a “dictator” and accusing the judge of “censorship.” This legal battle also impacted another Musk-owned business, Starlink, the satellite internet provider, further escalating tensions with the Brazilian government.
In a move to reinstate its presence, X has appealed to Brazil’s Supreme Court to overturn the ban. The platform argues that it is compliant with the court’s orders to address misinformation and should be allowed to operate in the country. Sources close to Musk in Brazil are optimistic about the appeal’s outcome, suggesting that X could be back online within days.
In a statement, X emphasized the importance of its presence in Brazil for a thriving democracy. It pledged to uphold freedom of expression and due process of law, claiming its commitment to protecting free speech within the boundaries of the law. “We believe that the people of Brazil having access to X is essential for a thriving democracy, and we will continue to…,” the statement read.
The situation has drawn criticism from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who expressed disapproval of Musk’s ideological stance. “The world is not obliged to put up with Musk’s far-right ideology just because he is rich,” he stated.
Despite the ongoing legal battles, Musk’s companies have made some progress in Brazil. Earlier this month, the Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Moraes lifted the freezes on Starlink and X bank accounts after Musk’s companies paid $3.3 million in fines. While Musk navigates these legal and operational challenges in Brazil, other tech giants have seen success in the country. Microsoft Corp. has pledged a $2.7 billion investment to foster the AI ecosystem in Latin America’s largest economy. This move highlights the growing importance of Brazil in the global tech landscape.
