Some users in Brazil were able to regain access to the social media platform on Wednesday, despite a ban imposed by the country’s judiciary last month.
Users flocked to the site after the platform, owned by a prominent tech figure, updated its server access protocols within Brazil. However, the company later clarified that this restoration was unintentional.
In response, a Brazilian court on Thursday fined the firm for what was described as a “trick” that temporarily allowed access to the site again. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes stated that the company had acted deceitfully, leading to fines exceeding $920,000. It remains uncertain whether the court can enforce this payment, as the company’s operations have previously disregarded Brazilian court orders.
The platform explained that a shift in network providers inadvertently restored service to Brazilian users, stating, “While we expect the platform to be inaccessible again in Brazil soon, we continue efforts to work with the Brazilian government to return very soon for the people of Brazil.”
This unexpected access raised eyebrows among experts, with some speculating that the change was intentional. A key advisor to Brazil’s leading trade group for Internet Service Providers noted that the platform had transitioned to servers associated with a major internet infrastructure provider and utilized dynamic IP addresses. This approach could complicate efforts to block access without disrupting other vital services, including digital payment systems used by millions.
Despite the recent developments, some analysts believe that support from infrastructure providers may reinforce the government’s ban effectively.
Brazil stands out as a significant market for the social media platform, which faced a ban after failing to appoint a new legal representative as mandated by court order. This situation highlights an ongoing conflict between Justice de Moraes and the platform, which escalated earlier this year over allegations of spreading disinformation.
Frustration has been mounting among Brazilian observers regarding the ongoing tensions between the social media firm and the government, leading to sentiments of being mere pawns in a larger conflict between these powerful entities.
