Brazil Supreme Federal Court (STF) has authorised the immediate return of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to the country, following the company’s compliance with legal requirements.
The court also instructed the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) to take the necessary steps to restore the platform’s service across the country.
X’s operations were suspended nationwide on 30 August after the platform repeatedly failed to comply with judicial decisions. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the presiding judge on the case, made it clear that the resumption of the platform’s activities depended on full adherence to Brazilian laws and respect for the rulings of the judiciary, affirming the country’s sovereignty.
The decision to allow X’s return comes after the platform showed that it had met all court-imposed conditions, including the removal of accounts spreading false information and the appointment of a legal representative in Brazil, a mandatory requirement for foreign companies.
In addition to complying with these directives, X also settled outstanding fines amounting to R$28.6 million ($5.1 million). The company’s failure to adhere to Brazilian regulations initially led to a five-week suspension, with internet service providers across the nation instructed to block access to the platform.
However, the Supreme Court has now deemed that X has fulfilled all obligations necessary to operate once again.
Despite the court’s approval, the social media platform will not return to service immediately. Anatel must first inform the country’s 20,000 internet service providers to lift the block, a process that may take some time, given the varied systems used by these providers. Nevertheless, the platform’s restoration is imminent.
Responding to the ruling, X’s Global Government Affairs team issued a statement affirming its readiness to uphold freedom of speech, while also abiding by the laws of the countries in which it operates.
X’s prolonged issue in Brazil comes from its initial resistance to complying with court orders, which led to the suspension of several accounts and the platform’s eventual ban. Though Elon Musk previously objected to the Brazilian courts’ suppression of conservative voices, he has now complied with all court directives, bringing an end to the issues with the authorities.
This resolution comes after a series of complications, including an error in the payment of fines, which caused a delay in the platform’s restoration. With the funds now properly transferred and all conditions met, Brazilians will soon regain access to the social network.
