In a major reversal, Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has asked Brazil’s Supreme Court to lift its ban after complying with orders to halt the spread of misinformation.
The platform was banned in late August following Musk’s refusal to comply with court directives in one of X’s largest markets.
Brazil’s Supreme Court had imposed the ban, led by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, as part of a broader crackdown on misinformation and threats to democracy. Initially, Musk resisted these orders, calling them censorship and even shuttered X’s offices in Brazil.
The ban also extended to Musk’s satellite internet provider, Starlink, further escalating tensions between Musk and the Brazilian judiciary.
Brazil, X’s sixth-largest market with approximately 21.5 million users, became a focal point in Musk’s global battle against regulations aimed at curbing misinformation.
However, after months of defiance, Musk has now taken a more conciliatory stance. X recently appointed a local legal representative, as demanded by Justice Moraes, and blocked nine accounts under investigation for spreading hate speech and misinformation.
The change in approach is seen as a pragmatic move by Musk, who is keen to regain market access.
According to insiders, Musk’s resistance softened after recognizing that Brazilians largely supported Justice Moraes and that continuing the feud could cost X significant market share.
“Whether one agrees with the decision or not, the law must be respected,” said Rubens Barbosa, a former Brazilian ambassador to the U.S., reflecting on Musk’s shift in strategy.
Sources close to Musk suggest he will now fight legal battles in court rather than through defiance.
The Supreme Court has yet to make a decision on X’s return, but service is expected to resume within days.
Despite Musk’s commitment to free speech, X has signaled its intention to comply with local laws moving forward.
Meanwhile, a separate controversy surrounding Musk’s plans to modify X’s block feature has sparked backlash.
Musk confirmed that X is considering removing the block button, prompting the hashtag #BlockElon to trend on the platform.
Many users voiced concerns over safety and privacy, especially for those using the block function to prevent harassment.
Despite the uproar, X has not announced when the change will take effect.
