Early Saturday, Brazil blocked access to Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after the company failed to comply with a court order. The ban was triggered when X missed a 24-hour deadline imposed by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, a requirement under local law. In response, Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, instructed internet service providers to suspend access to X across the country, making it largely inaccessible through both web and mobile applications as of midnight Saturday.

The court order stems from a months-long legal battle between Musk and Justice de Moraes, fueled by concerns over misinformation, far-right extremism, and free speech on the platform. Justice de Moraes accused Musk of disregarding Brazil’s sovereignty and legal system by failing to comply with his directive, leading to the unprecedented action of blocking the platform in one of its largest markets. 

This escalation has left millions of Brazilian users scrambling for alternatives as they cope with the sudden disappearance of the social media giant. The decision has sparked a heated debate across Brazil, with politicians and users divided over whether the ban was justified. X, a major hub for news and communication in the country, was notably missed by Brazilians, many of whom expressed confusion and frustration over the abrupt suspension. Entertainment writer Chico Barney, a heavy user of X, turned to Instagram’s alternative platform Threads to express his feelings, saying, “I’ve got the feeling that I have no idea what’s happening in the world right now. Bizarre.”

Meanwhile, other social media platforms have seen a surge in Brazilian users seeking new online spaces. Bluesky, an emerging alternative to X, reported a significant increase in sign-ups, with 200,000 new users from Brazil joining in just a couple of days. The platform noted that Brazilians are setting new records for engagement, with unprecedented levels of followers and likes as people adjust to life without X.

The ongoing conflict between Musk and Brazil’s judiciary highlights the challenges global tech companies face in navigating national laws while addressing issues like misinformation and extremist content. As the dispute continues, the future of X in Brazil remains uncertain, leaving millions of users wondering how long the blackout will last and what impact it will have on their digital lives.