Elon Musk has found a way to bypass Brazil's recent ban on X, his social media platform. Using his satellite internet provider, Starlink, Musk is allowing users of X in Brazil to access the network despite the legal restrictions.

Starlink is a company controlled by SpaceX, which is also owned by Musk.

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X in Brazil Banned by Law

A new law in Brazil mandates that internet service providers enforce an "immediate, complete and comprehensive" ban on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

The law carries significant legal and financial penalties for non-compliance. Over the weekend, X went dark in Brazil, a country that serves as X's fifth-largest international market, following Japan, India, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom, according to data from Statista.

With an estimated 20 million daily users in Brazil, X has been a popular platform for discussions on sports, politics, and entertainment. However, under the court ruling, any Brazilian X users who attempt to access the platform’s app or website through Starlink or a virtual private network (VPN) face a hefty fine of up to 50,000 reais, or approximately $883,845.

Appeal Fails

The ban on X in Brazil was upheld by the five judges on the top court panel during a virtual trial on Monday. 

The panel unanimously voted in favor of shutting down the platform. While X can still appeal the decision after the hearing, the platform has been suspended since late Friday following an order by Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

Justice Moraes has positioned himself as a key figure in the fight against fake news and hate speech in Brazil. However, his actions have sparked controversy, with critics accusing him of overstepping Brazilian law and undermining free speech.

 Moraes issued the ban after Musk defied several of his prior mandates and refused to appoint a legal representative for X in Brazil.

Musk's legal team has condemned the ruling, labeling Justice Moraes as a "dictator" who should be impeached for violating freedom of speech.

Brazil Freezes X Bank Accounts

The court’s actions didn’t stop at banning X. The judge also froze the Starlink’s bank accounts in Brazil in an attempt to prevent processing any financial transactions. 

In response, Starlink posted on X, stating, "This order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines levied – unconstitutionally – against X. It was issued in secret and without affording Starlink any of the due process of law guaranteed by the Constitution of Brazil. We intend to address the matter legally... We are proud of the impact Starlink is making in communities across the country, and the Starlink team is doing everything possible to ensure their service is not interrupted."

Musk has declared that the freezing of Starlink's bank accounts is illegal and has vowed to continue providing free internet access to its Brazilian customers while the accounts remain blocked.