A Brazilian judge in a legal dispute with X owner Elon Musk announced on Friday that he would reinstate the social network in Brazil if a fine of approximately $1.8 million is paid.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes had ordered X to shut down in Brazil last month after Musk declined to remove several right-wing accounts and failed to appoint a new legal representative in the country as required.
According to Moraes, for X to be reactivated it Musk needs to shell out and pay a fine of 10 million reais ($1.84 million), after denying a request to lift the suspension.
He also announced the platform would face penalties for failing to comply with an order to suspend a server that allowed it to temporarily bypass the nationwide ban for two days.
Judge Alexandre de Moraes has been locked in a prolonged feud with Elon Musk as part of his efforts to combat disinformation in Brazil.
The clash between the Brazilian court and the billionaire has evolved into a significant battle over the limits of free speech and corporate responsibility in South America’s largest country.
X had more than 22 million users in Brazil before the ban, which came into place on August 31.
Before the ban, X had over 22 million users in Brazil, which was enacted on August 31. Recently, the company has begun to meet the court’s requirements for reinstatement, including appointing a legal representative in Brazil.
Musk has frequently criticized Moraes on social media, labeling him an “evil dictator” and referring to him as “Voldemort,” the villain from the “Harry Potter” series.
