In the ongoing clash between Elon Musk and Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, Musk’s social media platform X has conceded, complying with court orders to restore its services in Brazil. The platform, previously blocked for non-compliance, has agreed to take the steps outlined by de Moraes, including blocking specific accounts, appointing a legal representative in Brazil, and paying fines for earlier disobedience.
On August 30, Brazil’s Supreme Court blocked X after months of legal battles over issues involving free speech, misinformation, and far-right accounts. X initially refused, accusing de Moraes of censorship, with Musk labeling the judge a “criminal” and an enemy of free speech. Despite Musk’s rhetoric, the court’s decisions were repeatedly upheld, culminating in the nationwide block of X.
In a significant shift, X has now appointed Rachel de Oliveira Villa Nova Conceição, its former legal representative, in a public filing with São Paulo’s commercial registry. The document adds a clause to protect her from legal risks, ensuring any actions requiring her involvement must first receive written instructions from the company.
Experts suggest this compliance move signals X’s attempt to cooperate with Brazilian authorities in good faith, while also responding to business concerns. According to Bruna Santos, a lawyer and global campaigns manager at Digital Action, the platform’s willingness to cooperate may be influenced by its competition with other platforms like BlueSky and Threads, which saw a surge in users during X’s ban.
While it remains unclear whether this legal battle is fully resolved, X’s actions reflect a shift in its strategy as it navigates the legal complexities of operating in a highly online and politically charged market like Brazil. For now, the platform seems to be prioritizing the restoration of its user base, including its 20 million Brazilian users, in the face of mounting legal and financial pressures.