SOCIAL media platform X returned to Brazil on Wednesday after a blackout of more than a month, due to a clash between owner Elon Musk and Brazilian authorities.

Internet service providers began restoring access to the platform after Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes lifted X’s suspension on Tuesday.

Justice de Moraes had ordered the shutdown of X on August 30 during a dispute with Mr Musk over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation. 

Mr Musk retaliated by accusing Justice de Moraes of being authoritarian and a censor, although his rulings, including X’s nationwide suspension, were repeatedly upheld by his peers.

The tech multi-billionaire’s company ultimately complied with all of the demands made by Brazilian authorities. These included blocking certain accounts, paying outstanding fines and naming a legal representative. Failure to do the latter had triggered the suspension.

Sleeping Giants Brazil, a platform for activism that seeks to combat fake news and hate speech, said the resumption of X’s activities in Brazil marked “a significant victory for Brazilian democracy.”

“It is crucial to remain steadfast against efforts to weaken democratic state authority, institutions and values,” it said in a statement.

Estimates put use of X in Brazil, one of the platform’s biggest markets, at between 20 million and 40m people.