In fact, it has done so even after Justice Alexandre de Moraes froze Starlink’s assets. Starlink stated that it was bending the knee on the order despite the freezing of its assets, and it continues to pursue legal avenues.

If Starlink had continued to disobey, the telecommunications regulator Anatel could have seized equipment from Starlink’s ground stations. Some legal experts questioned the basis for freezing Starlink’s accounts, noting that SpaceX and X have different shareholder structures.

 X has clashed with de Moraes over its reluctance to block supporters of the former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro who have been using the site to flood the country with fake news. After losing the election in 2023 Bolsonaro’s supports attempted a coup claiming the election was fake.

Starlink's reversal is a relief to its 250,000 customers in Brazil, many in remote areas. With its easy-to-install kits and high-quality connections, Starlink has transformed communication in these areas. The Forest People Connection project has brought Starlink terminals to 1,014 remote communities, including the Yanomami, who now have access to telemedicine and emergency communication.

Improved connectivity has also facilitated illegal activities like gold mining. Brazil is a key growth market for Starlink, but its presence is not as large as Musk has suggested. A partnership to bring Starlink to 19,000 schools never materialised. Since January 2022, Starlink has captured a 0.5 per cent share of the internet market in Brazil.