In a new legal offensive that could redefine the role of social media in the country, the Attorney General’s Office seeks to curb disinformation, digital violence, and the damage caused by the inaction of social technology companies such as Meta and TikTok.
For the Attorney General’s Office, the negligent behavior of these companies constitutes a direct violation of the principles of prevention and security required by Brazilian law.
Among the complaints, more than 300 fraudulent ads on Meta’s social media channels are cited, which used manipulated images of officials such as Finance Minister Fernando Haddad to deceive users with false promises of compensation for fraud at the National Social Security Institute.
The misuse of the National Health Surveillance Agency’s logo to market unauthorized medications is also reported, and tragic cases of Brazilian minors who died after participating in dangerous TikTok challenges are highlighted.
The Attorney General’s Office reinforces its position with a report by the New York-based international business and finance newspaper, the Wall Street Journal, which estimates that 70 percent of recent advertisers on Meta promote scams or irregular products.
Faced with possible accusations of censorship, the legal body affirms that it does not seek to control legitimate content, but rather to hold those who profit from digital activity accountable.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defends the urgency of passing a law to regulate the digital ecosystem.
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