Elon Musk's X Restored in Brazil After Supreme Court Ban, Cloudflare Bypass

Sep 18, 2024, 07:09 PM

Elon Musk’s social media platform X has been restored for many users in Brazil after a three-week ban imposed by the country’s Supreme Court. The ban was a result of tensions between Musk and Brazilian authorities, who accused the platform of spreading misinformation. The platform circumvented the ban by adopting Cloudflare’s services, which dynamically change IP addresses, making it difficult for regulators to block access. The Brazilian Association of Internet and Telecommunications Providers confirmed that this technical maneuver allowed the app to bypass the ban. Users who previously accessed X using VPNs risked fines of up to 50,000 reais a day (~$9,000). The platform also left Brazil with a debt of 18 million reais. The White House condemned Brazil’s actions, emphasizing the importance of access to social media as a form of free speech. Prominent right-wing politicians in Brazil continued to use the platform despite the ban, arguing it was unconstitutional. U.S. lawmakers have also demanded visa bans for Brazilian justices involved in the decision.