Brazil's Supreme Court has officially banned X, previously known as Twitter, and is imposing significant penalties on Brazilian users and companies attempting to access the platform through VPNs. According to The Guardian, the ban stems from X’s failure to meet a crucial legal requirement imposed by Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

On August 28, Justice Moraes ordered X to appoint a legal representative in Brazil within 24 hours. The company had been operating without a legal representative since August 27, following its decision to close its Brazilian operations. X's management criticized the court's decision, alleging it was motivated by Moraes’ personal grievances rather than legal principles.

The conflict between Moraes and X began in April, when the judge mandated the platform to block accounts linked to "digital militias" supporting former president Jair Bolsonaro. After the deadline lapsed without compliance, Moraes issued an order for the “immediate, complete, and total suspension” of X’s operations in Brazil. This suspension will remain in effect until X appoints a legal representative, pays all fines, and adheres to court orders.

To enforce the ban, Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency will instruct over 20,000 broadband IPs to block X. Apple and Google have been directed to prevent access to X on iOS and Android devices, and app stores must remove the app within five days. Brazilian individuals and companies attempting to access X via VPN will face fines of approximately $8,900 USD per day. However, the enforcement and detection of VPN use remain unclear, given the advanced masking features of some VPN services.

In response, X has condemned the court’s actions, alleging that the ban is a retaliation for refusing to comply with what it deems illegal censorship demands. The company plans to release details of its legal dispute with Moraes in the coming days.

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