CNN —
After a more than three-week blackout, X is set to comply with Brazilian court orders to restore access to its 21 million users in the country. This move marks the conclusion of a prolonged battle between CEO Elon Musk and Brazil’s highest court.
X has informed Brazil’s Supreme Court of its legal representation, meeting a crucial requirement for reinstating the social media platform in the significant market. The court has granted an additional five days for the submission of formal paperwork.
X has been offline in Brazil for most of September, with a brief return last week showing a message stating, “Posts aren’t loading right now.” The company has expressed commitment to collaborating with the Brazilian government for the platform’s availability.
The feud between Musk and Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes led to the ban on X in August. Musk’s insults towards Moraes on the platform prompted legal actions resulting in the ban.
X must fulfill legal requirements and pay fines to resume operations in Brazil. The platform’s involvement in spreading misinformation and hate speech, particularly regarding Brazil’s elections and democratic institutions, led to the ban.
The ongoing dispute underscores the complex relationship between social media platforms, legal systems, and political figures in safeguarding freedom of speech and upholding democratic values.