X's woes are not limited to Brazil as it risks possible European Union sanctions in the coming months for allegedly breaking new content rules.
Access to the social media network has been suspended in South America's largest country since Saturday after a long-running legal battle over disinformation ended with a judge ordering a shutdown.
Politicians worldwide and digital rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about owner Elon Musk's actions since taking over what was then Twitter in 2022, including sacking many employees tasked with content moderation and maintaining ties with EU regulators.
His "free speech absolutist" attitude has led to clashes with Brussels.
The EU could decide within months to take action against X, including possible fines, as part of an ongoing probe into whether the platform is breaching a landmark content moderation law, the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Nothing has yet been decided, but any fines could be as high as 6% of X's annual worldwide turnover unless the company makes changes in line with Brussels’ demands.
However, if Mr Musk's reactions are anything to go by, another showdown is on the cards.
When the EU in July accused X of deceptive practices in violation of the DSA, he warned: "We look forward to a very public battle in court".
The temperature was raised even further a month later with another war of words on social media between Mr Musk and the EU's top tech enforcer, Thierry Breton.
Mr Breton reminded the businessman in a letter of his legal duty to stop "harmful content" from spreading on X hours before an interview with US presidential challenger Donald Trump live on the platform.
Mr Musk responded by mocking Mr Breton and sharing a meme that carried an obscene message.
EU ban 'very unlikely' - experts
Despite the bitter exchanges, the European Commission, the EU's digital watchdog, insists that dialogue with X is ongoing.
"X continues to cooperate with the commission and respond to questions," spokesman Thomas Regnier said.
Experts agree that a Brazil-like shutdown in the EU is unlikely, although it has the legal right.
The DSA would allow the bloc to demand a judge in Ireland, where X has its EU headquarters, order a temporary suspension until the infringements cease.
Mr Breton has repeatedly insisted that "Europe will not hesitate to do what is necessary".
But since X has around 106 million EU users, significantly higher than the 22 million in Brazil, the belief is that Mr Musk would not want to risk a similar move in Europe.
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"Obviously, we can never exclude it, but it is very unlikely," said Alexandre de Streel of the think tank Centre on Regulation in Europe.
Regardless of what happens next, Mr de Streel said the case would likely end up in the EU courts, calling X "the least cooperative company" with the bloc.
Jan Penfrat, of the European Digital Rights advocacy group, said a ban was "a very last resort measure" and the social media network would "probably" not close shop in the EU.
"I would hope that the commission thinks about this very, very hard before going there because this (a ban) would have a tremendously negative effect on the right to freedom of expression and access to information," Mr Penfrat said.
The commission in July accused X of misleading users with its blue checkmarks for certified accounts, insufficient advertising transparency, and failing to give researchers access to the platform's data.
That allegation is part of a wider probe into the network, launched in December, and regulators are still investigating how it tackles the spread of illegal content and information manipulation.
X has been given access to the EU's file and can defend itself, including by replying to the commission's findings.
The list of governments angry with Mr Musk is growing.
He also raised hackles over the summer in the UK during days of rioting sparked by online misinformation that the suspect behind a stabbing that killed three girls in Southport was a Muslim asylum seeker.
The billionaire, whose personal X account has 196 million users, engaged in disputes with British politicians after sharing inflammatory posts and claiming a "civil war is inevitable" in the country.
The UK, a non-EU member, will soon be able to implement a similar law to the DSA with enforcement expected to start next year.
