BRASILIA, Jan 8 (Reuters) – Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes, known for his pivotal role in the Supreme Court decision that temporarily suspended social media platform X in the country, stated on Wednesday that tech companies must comply with local laws to continue operating in Brazil.
Although he did not name any specific companies, Moraes’ comments came just a day after Meta (META.O) announced through a video featuring Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg that it would discontinue its U.S.-based fact-checking program. Meta also signalled plans to ease restrictions on discussions surrounding contentious topics such as immigration and gender identity.
At an event commemorating the two-year anniversary of riots against Brazilian institutions, including the Supreme Court, Moraes emphasized that Brazil’s top court would not tolerate tech firms using hate speech to generate profit. He said, “In Brazil, [the companies] will only continue to operate if they respect Brazilian legislation, regardless of the rant of Big Tech managers.”
Moraes’ remarks align with Brazil’s increasingly stringent stance on regulating the actions of global tech companies, particularly around issues such as hate speech and misinformation. Last year, Moraes spearheaded a Supreme Court decision that resulted in a suspension of social media platform X for over a month due to its failure to comply with various court orders. The platform had not taken sufficient action to moderate hate speech, among other concerns.
The decision to suspend X came from Moraes himself, as Brazilian Supreme Court judges have the authority to make unilateral rulings in certain matters. The suspension was later unanimously backed by a five-judge panel of the court. At the time, X’s owner and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk condemned the court’s orders, calling Moraes a “dictator” and accusing him of censorship. Despite the criticism, X ultimately complied with the court’s demands, including blocking specific accounts, in order to restore its services in Brazil.
In addition to Moraes’ comments, Brazilian prosecutors have also taken action against Meta in light of the changes it announced regarding its fact-checking practices. Prosecutors have demanded that Meta clarify whether these changes, which have primarily been implemented in the United States, would extend to Brazil as well. Meta, which did not comment through its office in Brazil, has been given 30 days to provide a response, according to a document seen by Reuters.
The investigation into Meta’s actions forms part of an ongoing probe into the role of social media platforms in combating misinformation and violence online in Brazil. Brazilian authorities have expressed growing concern over the spread of false information and the potential harm it causes, particularly in the context of political and social discourse.
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Moraes’ comments reflect Brazil’s broader trend towards increasing regulation of online platforms, ensuring that tech giants are held accountable for their content moderation practices. These regulatory efforts are part of a broader global movement to address the influence and power of Big Tech companies, particularly in relation to the spread of harmful content and the manipulation of online communities.
This continued scrutiny of major tech firms, including Meta and X, has prompted companies to reconsider their policies and practices, particularly in countries like Brazil where the government has shown a willingness to take strong actions against platforms that fail to comply with local laws.
The Brazilian government has been increasingly vocal in pushing for stronger measures to control the flow of misinformation and harmful content online, with Moraes positioning the judiciary as a key player in this fight. By demanding that Big Tech comply with local legislation, Brazil is sending a clear message that companies operating within the country must adhere to its rules or risk facing significant penalties, including service suspensions.
As the regulatory landscape in Brazil continues to evolve, tech companies are likely to face more pressure to adjust their practices and take greater responsibility for the content shared on their platforms. The outcome of the ongoing investigations into Meta and other companies could set a precedent for how Brazil and other countries approach the regulation of online content in the years to come.
