Brazilians are making waves in response to the recent ban on X, previously known as Twitter, leading to a dramatic rise in the use of VPNs. This surge comes despite stern warnings that individuals could face fines of nearly $9,000 per day for bypassing the ban to access Elon Musk’s platform.
Background of the Ban
The Brazilian Supreme Court’s decision to ban X escalates an ongoing feud between Elon Musk and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The clash centers on content moderation and free speech, with Musk refusing to remove posts related to far-right groups as ordered by de Moraes. Musk decries the orders as censorship, while de Moraes argues they are essential for curbing misinformation and protecting democratic values.
Under the ban, X must appoint a legal representative in Brazil to handle government requests for account suspensions. To enforce this, de Moraes has imposed fines of 50,000 reais ($8,900) per day on those using VPNs to circumvent the restriction. This amount exceeds the average annual income of a Brazilian, according to The New York Times.
Surge in VPN Usage and Popularity of Alternatives
Despite the hefty fines, Brazilians are turning to VPNs in droves. VPNMentor, a site that tracks online privacy tools, reports a staggering 1,600% increase in VPN usage since the ban was announced. This indicates a strong desire among users to continue accessing X despite the risks.
In addition to VPNs, alternative social media platforms like Bluesky and Threads are experiencing significant growth. Bluesky has added over 500,000 new users in recent days, reaching record activity levels. Similarly, Threads has seen a surge in registrations, making both platforms the top two most downloaded iPhone apps in Brazil over the past weekend.
Public Response and Concerns
While X may not rival Facebook, YouTube, or TikTok in Brazil, its sudden disappearance has left many feeling cut off from global discussions. Some users have expressed a sense of isolation without X, and there is growing concern that the ban is both oppressive and inconsistent with de Moraes’ goal of combating authoritarianism.
Maurício Santoro, a political science professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, shared his concerns in a pre-ban post on X. “I’ve used VPNs in authoritarian countries like China to access news and social media,” Santoro noted. “I never thought such a tool would be banned in Brazil. It’s dystopian.”
Musk’s Reaction and Legal Struggles
In response to the ban, Musk shut down X’s office in Brazil last week, following de Moraes’ threats of arrest for failing to comply with account removal orders. X has denounced the judge’s sealed orders as illegal and intends to publish them. “Free speech is fundamental to democracy, and an unelected judge in Brazil is undermining it for political reasons,” Musk asserted.
De Moraes has not only targeted X but also froze the finances of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite service in Brazil. The move aims to collect $3 million in fines imposed on X. Starlink, which has gained over 250,000 Brazilian customers, plans to contest the freeze and may offer free services in Brazil if necessary.
Ideological and Economic Implications
The ongoing dispute between Musk and de Moraes highlights a fundamental clash over free speech and misinformation. Musk accuses de Moraes of censoring conservative voices, while de Moraes contends that Musk obstructs efforts to clean up the Brazilian internet. De Moraes has labeled Musk an “outlaw” seeking to enable the spread of disinformation and undermine democratic norms.
Musk’s approach reflects his broader vision for X as a bastion of unrestricted speech, even if it harms business. Since April, he has positioned de Moraes as a significant foe of free speech, hoping that public backlash will compel the judge to reverse the ban.
Experts suggest Musk is gaining political capital despite potential short-term revenue losses. Luca Belli from FGV Law School notes that Musk’s strategy appears aimed at building political influence rather than focusing solely on financial outcomes.
