After a long fight between Elon Musk and Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, X (formerly Twitter) was banned in Brazil on August 17, 2024. Thousands of regular users started looking for ways to bypass the ban, and the most popular way to access X in Brazil came to be with a VPN.
As well as bypassing geo-restrictions, a VPN also ensures better online privacy, encrypting your browsing data. As of October 2024, the ban has been rescinded, but many continue to use VPNs for security and anonymity.
In this guide, I’ll explain why X got banned in Brazil and how to access X in Brazil with a VPN in 2024.
Best Brazil VPNs in 2024
- NordVPN – Best VPN for X overall
- Surfshark – Best cheap VPN for X
- ExpressVPN – Best VPN for security on X
How to Unblock X With a VPN in Brazil
- Choose a reliable VPN with servers where X works. Our choice is NordVPN, as it boasts an extensive server fleet and uses top-notch security features.
- Download and install the application onto a device you want to access the X (Twitter) platform on.
- Open the VPN app and connect to a server in the US or elsewhere where X is available.
- Enable the Kill switch feature in case the VPN connection drops.
- Head to X and start browsing the feed.
Why Did X Close in Brazil?
Elon Musk’s X closed in Brazil on August 17, 2024, because Musk failed to appoint a new legal representative in the country by the court’s set deadline. However, that’s only one reason, coming from a long and complex history of the Moraes and Musk conflict.
It appears that Elon Musk has also publicly humiliated the Supreme Federal Court of Brazil Alexandre de Moraes since April. Not to mention the times when Musk has refused to comply with local laws and failed to pay appointed fines.
The conflict stemmed from Elon Musk’s refusal to suspend certain X accounts, which the Brazilian court deemed harmful to democratic institutions in Brazil. One of the accounts belongs to the senator, Marcos do Val, who is under investigation for possible involvement in the sabotage of Alexandre de Moraes. It’s also important to note that Elon Musk has openly compared de Moraes to a dictator, Darth Vader, and other evil characters while praising former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Elon Musk is known for his strong support for freedom of speech. This may explain his decision not to comply with local laws in Brazil, risking X/Twitter being banned. Despite the block, Musk has promised the citizens to find a way to operate in Brazil again.
As of October 2024, X is operating as normal in Brazil, having paid a fine of 28 million reais or $5.1m and appointed a local representative, as required by law.
Can I Access X in Brazil With a VPN?
Yes, you can access X in Brazil with a VPN. After Alexandre de Moraes banned X in the country, VPN use rose significantly. At this point, officials started paying attention to the millions of X users trying to bypass the ban.
Generally, VPNs are legal in Brazil. This software is seen as an excellent tool for retaining online privacy and security while casually browsing or working. However, it’s not permitted to use a VPN in Brazil for illegal activities.
How to Unblock Twitter/X With a VPN
Pick and download a reliable VPN
If you find X is blocked in your location, you can attempt to use a VPN to log in from a server in another region. First, you’ll need to download and install a VPN. I recommend NordVPN because of its many security features and strong no-logs policy.
Connect to a server where X/Twitter is available
Pick a country close to you where X/Twitter is available, and connect to a VPN server.
Go to your Twitter account
Once you’ve connected to a VPN server, log into your Twitter account.
Twitter/X Ban History
Due to political and other reasons, Twitter, also known as X, has been banned in several countries around the globe. These are the countries that make it to the list and why:
- Brazil: On August 17, 2024, X was banned in Brazil due to a lack of a legal representative in the country and Elon Musk’s refusal to comply with local laws.
- China: Twitter has been inaccessible in China since 2009 due to the government’s decision to block all foreign social media platforms.
- Iran: Twitter/X was blocked in Iran in 2009 to prevent activists from organizing protests and spreading information about government actions during presidential elections.
- Myanmar: In 2021, the local military banned Twitter in Myanmar to prevent the spread of fake news and misinformation.
- North Korea: Almost a decade ago, North Korea banned Twitter to gain more control over the source of information for civilians. Consequently, other Western apps were also banned.
- Pakistan: This is one of the most recent countries to ban Twitter/X. In February 2024, Pakistan banned the platform to enhance national safety. However, millions of Pakistani people continue using X with the help of a VPN.
- Russia: Following the Ukraine invasion in February 2022, the Russian government restricted access to X/Twitter, stating it spreads fake news and incites hatred.
- Turkmenistan: Being one of the most repressive governments in the world, Turkmenistan blocked Twitter in 2010, continuing to control media access to its citizens until this day.
Conclusion – How to Unblock X in Brazil
Twitter, now rebranded as X, has long been a go-to social media platform for people around the world to share their thoughts, follow trends, and connect with others. Despite its widespread popularity, not every country permits its citizens to access it.
A VPN will help you access X/Twitter in Brazil securely and anonymously. If you decide to use a VPN, I recommend using a market-leading like NordVPN, which can ensure a stable connection and complete user privacy.