Brazil suspends social network X and reignites the debate on global freedom of expression.

The recent decision by the Brazilian court to suspend the social network X has reignited a debate about freedom of expression and control of online information. The measure, taken by Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court, indicates deep dissatisfaction with the management of the platform and its inability to adhere to judicial decisions. Through its website and mobile application, Brazilian users now encounter a block that prevents them from accessing the social network, leaving many uncertain about the future of its use in the country. The closure of X in Brazil is not an isolated case. Globally, at least nine countries have taken drastic measures to restrict access to this platform, reflecting a pattern seen in various regions of the world. The Brazilian decision is part of a broader context in which governments have blocked social networks for various reasons, from national security to control of the public narrative. China, for example, has maintained a ban on Twitter since 2009, when the government shut down access amid political tensions surrounding the Tiananmen protests. Instead, Chinese citizens use local platforms like Weibo and WeChat, which are under strict governmental control and limit freedom of expression. Iran follows a similar path, where Twitter has been blocked for 15 years, mainly due to its use as an organizing tool during protests. Turkmenistan, another country that censors X, has been restricting internet access in general since the 2010s. Access to the web is only allowed through a state provider that closely monitors online activity. In this way, citizens live in an environment where information is almost completely filtered by the government. In North Korea, the situation is even more extreme; internet access is reserved for a small elite, and the ban on X adds to a long list of sites and services that are inaccessible to most of the population. The regime's initial opening of an official Twitter account was quickly reversed, demonstrating a lack of tolerance for dissent. The case of Myanmar is particularly relevant in the current context. Since the military coup in February 2021, the military government has blocked X, fearing that the platform could serve as a means to organize protests and resistance. The repression of freedom of expression has led to even stricter control of the internet, limiting citizens' opportunities to express their opinions and organize. Russia, following the invasion of Ukraine, has also restricted access to X, accusing the platform of hosting "illegal content." Although access has been formally blocked, many Russians have turned to VPN services to evade the restrictions, reflecting an ongoing struggle for the free flow of information in an increasingly oppressive environment. Similarly, in Pakistan, the closure of X is justified under the premise of national security, with the government arguing that the platform is a vehicle for dissent and allegations of electoral fraud. The situation in Venezuela presents a similar picture, where protests against Nicolás Maduro's regime led to the temporary suspension of X, which has become an effort to silence critical voices against the government. Thus, Brazil's decision to block X fits into a global pattern where several countries have chosen to restrict online freedom of expression as a measure of social control. With the increase in blocks and restrictions, the international community must question the balance between national security and the right to free expression, a debate that becomes increasingly relevant in the digital age. As tensions between governments and digital platforms intensify, it is essential to seek solutions that protect citizens' rights to information and expression. The situation in Brazil, as well as in other countries that have restricted access to X, is a clear reminder that the struggle for freedom of expression is an ongoing battle and that social media are both communication tools and instruments of control in the 21st century.