Some users in Brazil have reported regaining access to X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, despite its ban in the country at the end of August. The BBC discovered this development as the platform became accessible again, following a move to Cloudflare servers, according to ABRINT, Brazil’s leading trade association for Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
A spokesperson for X confirmed to the BBC that the platform’s restoration in Brazil was “inadvertent,” caused by the switch to a new server provider. “We expect the platform to become inaccessible in Brazil again soon, but we are actively working with the Brazilian government to make a full return as soon as possible,” the spokesperson added.
Brazil’s telecom regulator, Anatel, has not yet commented on the matter. ABRINT explained that the new server system uses dynamic IPs, which constantly change, making it harder for authorities to block access. The previous system used specific IP addresses, which were easier to target for restrictions.
Basílio Rodriguez Pérez, an advisor at ABRINT, mentioned that these dynamic IPs could be linked to essential services within Brazil, such as banks and large internet platforms. “Many of these IPs are shared with critical services like PIX, Brazil’s digital payment system, which millions rely on. Blocking an IP could potentially disrupt these services,” Pérez said.
Some legal experts believe Cloudflare could assist Brazil in enforcing the platform ban more effectively. “If Cloudflare cooperates with the government, it could make the ban even stronger,” commented Felipe Autran, a constitutional lawyer based in Brasilia. “Given that Cloudflare provides services to numerous Brazilian enterprises and the government itself, cooperation seems likely.”
Cloudflare declined to issue a statement when contacted by the BBC.
X was initially banned in Brazil after failing to comply with a court order to appoint a new legal representative in the country. The Brazilian Supreme Court issued the ruling, marking a key moment in an ongoing dispute between Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and X’s owner, Elon Musk.
Justice Moraes had previously ordered the suspension of several X accounts in April, accusing them of spreading disinformation. His August ruling gave major tech companies, including Apple and Google, a five-day window to remove X from their app stores and block the platform from functioning on iOS and Android devices.
Although users who access X via virtual private networks (VPNs) face potential fines, Autran noted that this penalty only applies to those using VPNs. “Currently, no one is using alternative methods like VPNs to access the platform,” he said. “Simply typing the web address or using the app isn’t considered a violation under the current Supreme Court order.”
Brazil remains a crucial market for X, making this recent development significant for both the platform and the country’s regulatory efforts. Despite the technical workaround enabling temporary access, X and Brazilian authorities are still locked in discussions about the platform’s future in the nation.
