After nearly six weeks, Brazilians will once again have access to X as a Supreme Court judge lifted the ban that was imposed due to Elon Musk’s failure to comply with the country’s laws.
X, with over 22 million users in Brazil, was blocked in late August after a prolonged battle between the network’s billionaires and the Supreme Court.
The ban was triggered by Musk’s failure to appoint a local representative and pay fines, amidst a larger conflict with the Supreme Court over combating misinformation and anti-democratic content on social media.
Experts and authorities blame online inflammatory content for the violence in Brasilia in January 2023.
Musk, associated with far-right figures, criticized the ban in August but eventually complied by paying fines and hiring a local representative as required by law.
Following these actions, the ban was lifted by Moraes in a legal decision on Tuesday, ordering X’s immediate reinstatement in Brazil.
Although the telecommunications regulator is yet to implement the ruling fully, access through a VPN is expected to be available shortly.
Brazilian commentators and activists see this as a victory for institutions and sovereignty, highlighting the importance of complying with judicial decisions.
The absence of X did not halt life in Brazil as users shifted to alternative platforms, with many condemning X as a “network of hate.”
Support for upholding Brazilian law, human rights, and democratic values was expressed by the activist group Sleeping Giants.
Sleeping Giants emphasized the importance of compliance with the law and respect for democracy and sovereignty.
“It was a crucial step towards upholding Brazil’s democracy and sovereignty,” Sleeping Giants stated.
Source: www.theguardian.com
