Elon Musk’s X is now working in Brazil, despite the ban.
The trade group stated that the change made it harder to block apps on phones. The trade group ABRINT, Brazil’s telecom agency Anatel, and X have not responded to requests for comment. It says that the X application was updated over night and the new software began using IP addresses linked through Cloudfare. This “makes app blockage much more complex”. The news release says that unlike the previous system which blocked specific IPs, this new system uses dynamic, constantly changing IPs. Many of these IPs share them with other legitimate services such as banks and major internet platforms. It is therefore impossible to block one IP without impacting other services. The platform was banned from the country after it failed to meet the court deadline for appointing a new representative.
It marked the most significant development in a feud between Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and Mr Musk that began in April, when the judge ordered the suspension of dozens of X accounts for allegedly spreading disinformation.
In his August ruling, Justice Moraes gave companies, including Apple and Google, a five-day deadline to remove X from its app stores and block its use on iOS and Android devices.
He added that individuals or businesses that are found to still be accessing X by using virtual private networks (VPNs) could be fined. It’s not clear what the Brazilian government will do if the platform finds a way to circumvent the ban. Brazil is reportedly one of Mr Musk’s largest social media networks.
