Elon Musk’s X, formerly known as Twitter, has agreed to comply with court demands in Brazil, one of its most active markets, paving the way for its reinstatement in the country.
X takes steps to comply with demands issued by Brazil
The social media platform had been suspended in Brazil after refusing to comply with orders from the Supreme Court related to hate speech moderation. However, in a surprising turn of events, X has now agreed to name a legal representative in Brazil, block certain accounts, and pay fines imposed by the court.
This decision marks a significant victory for the Brazilian judiciary, which has been committed to combat misinformation and hate speech on social media platforms. The court had previously accused X of undermining Brazilian democracy through its refusal to comply with its orders.
While the exact terms of X’s agreement with the court are still being finalized, the company is expected to resume operations in Brazil in the coming weeks. According to the New York Times, Brazil’s Supreme Court has asked for further documentation but could lift the ban within a week.
Opportunities for rival social media platforms
The fallout in Brazil has presented opportunities for rival social media platforms. Tumblr, for example, has seen a 349% increase in users since the ban, according to TechCrunch. Even older platforms like Tumblr are benefiting from the turmoil at X.
Bluesky, a newer social media platform with a similar layout to X, has also experienced significant growth. The platform has surpassed 10 million users, with 4 million of those joining in recent weeks, according to Gizmodo.
This exodus is a testament to the growing dissatisfaction with the platform under Musk’s leadership. Since the billionaire took over, the company has faced criticism for its inconsistent policies, censorship concerns, and the proliferation of hate speech. As X continues to struggle, it remains to be seen whether it can recover its position as a dominant force in the social media landscape.
