With the recent ban of X in Brazil, many are wondering what alternative apps Brazilians are turning to, and whether X will be able to reclaim its position as a key social platform in the region if it is eventually re-instated by Brazilian authorities.
At the beginning of this month, Brazilian officials announced a full ban of X due to the platform’s failure to address the spread of harmful misinformation. The ban came after X refused to suppress accounts undermining the Brazilian Government, leading to the shutdown of its Brazilian office and the subsequent ban.
X, which reportedly had around 22 million daily active users in Brazil, has left a void for many users in the country. However, alternative platforms like Bluesky, the Twitter alternative, have seen significant growth in their user base since the X ban was announced.
Bluesky has added 3 million users in the past week, with much of this growth coming from Brazil. Meta’s Threads, another competitor in the region, has also seen an increase in its download ranking following the ban.
Despite Musk’s claims that X remains popular in Brazil, the reality is that the platform is not a news app and is listed as one simply due to former Twitter management decisions. This has sparked debates around free speech and alternative political perspectives, further adding to the tensions in the region as future polls approach.
Given the ongoing unrest and the lack of evidence supporting claims of illegal voter tampering, it is unlikely that X will be making a comeback in Brazil anytime soon. Musk’s criticism of Brazil’s ruling bodies and his business dealings with the region indicate a deep-seated opposition to the current situation.
As Musk continues to challenge Brazilian authorities, X’s future in the nation remains uncertain. The platform’s absence may persist as Musk’s grievances impact potential deals and investments, making a resolution with Brazilian authorities seem unlikely in the near future.