In a significant shift, Elon Musk’s platform X has informed Brazil’s Supreme Court that it has complied with the court’s orders aimed at curbing misinformation. The company is now seeking the removal of a ban that restricted access to the platform, as detailed in a document reviewed by Reuters.
The billionaire had resisted the court’s directives for over five months, decrying what he termed “censorship,” amid a dispute with one of Brazil’s leading judges. The Supreme Court had prohibited access to the platform for Brazilian users in late August.
A ruling from the court regarding X’s reinstatement is awaited, but sources close to Musk suggest that service could be restored within days.
On Thursday, X asserted that access to its site in Brazil is vital for a flourishing democracy, emphasizing its commitment to respecting national sovereignty in the countries it operates.
The company’s global affairs team reiterated its position, stating, “We will continue to defend freedom of expression and due process of law through legal processes,” in a message posted on the platform.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has led efforts against perceived threats to democracy and the misuse of disinformation, prohibited access to X after Musk closed the company’s offices in Brazil.
This legal confrontation impacted another Musk venture, Starlink, a satellite internet provider, whose accounts were also frozen by de Moraes, leading Musk to label him a “dictator.”
The conflict in Brazil represents just one of several recent clashes between Musk, who positions himself as a proponent of free speech, and various governments, including those of Australia and the UK, which are attempting to combat the propagation of online misinformation.
Brazil ranks as X’s sixth-largest market globally, with approximately 21.5 million users.
Thiago de Aragao, a senior researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, noted, “Musk was concerned about losing market share and ultimately realized this was a pointless battle. Brazilians were not siding with Justice Alexandre de Moraes as he had presumed.”
In a last-ditch effort to bypass Moraes’ ban, X employed third-party cloud services to allow Brazilian users access to its platform, but this strategy was short-lived following the threat of substantial fines from the judge.
Last week, X took steps toward reconciliation by appointing a local legal representative, aligning with Moraes’ demands.
In its submission to the Brazilian Supreme Court, Musk’s company indicated that it had blocked nine accounts linked to an investigation into hate speech and misinformation.
Rubens Barbosa, a former Brazilian ambassador to the U.S., commented on the situation, saying, “His backtracking is very positive. Regardless of personal views, the law should be respected, not defied.”
According to insiders familiar with Musk’s perspective, the billionaire is expected to adopt a different approach once X reestablishes its presence in Brazil. While Musk may maintain a confrontational stance, he is likely to adhere to the law moving forward. “From this point, he will engage in court battles,” one insider noted.
X did not respond to a request for comments.
© Thomson Reuters 2024
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