Court lifts ban on X in Brazil
X can go online again after a weeks-long ban in Brazil. The Brazilian Supreme Court considers the conditions and penalty payment to have been fulfilled.
(Image: kavi designs/Shutterstock.com)
The Supreme Court in Brazil has allowed Elon Musk's short messaging platform X to resume operations in the country. According to the court, all requirements have been met and documented so that X can go online again. This was announced by the judge of the court, Alexandre de Moraes. X had also paid a fine of 28.6 million reais (around 4.77 million euros). X had been suspended in Brazil more than a month ago for failing to comply with conditions.
The National Telecommunications Agency Anatel is responsible for implementing X's release. It was instructed by the Supreme Court to initiate the necessary measures within 24 hours. The Internet providers have now been informed and can release X in Brazil again.
Weeks of disputes
The main reason for the unblocking is the payment of a fine amounting to the equivalent of 4.7 million euros. X had been blocked because the platform did not take sufficient action against false information and conspiracy theories from right-wing activists and certain accounts were blocked. In addition, X had initially refused to appoint a legal representative in the South American country, but then relented.
This was followed by a weeks-long dispute between X and the court. X owner Elon Musk accused the hearing judge De Moraes of censorship and calling him a dictator, among other things. X initially refused to pay the fine and only wanted to fulfill some of the conditions, but ultimately failed in court.
The judge had threatened to confiscate the frozen assets of X and Elon Musk's satellite internet communications company Starlink in the country. Starlink had initially not complied with X's ban in Brazil. DeMoraes has also threatened companies and private individuals who circumvent the freeze with severe penalties.
(olb)