Brazil’s prosecutors asked the Federal Supreme Court this Thursday to investigate the CEOs of Google and Telegram over their campaign against a bill aimed at curbing online disinformation in the country.
The request was filed by the Deputy Attorney General of the Republic, Lindora Araujo, in response to a complaint by the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lear, who considered “violent and offensive” some of the actions taken by the two platforms against a bill that is being discussed in the lower house of Brazil.
In recent days, Google and Telegram have published messages criticizing the bill, which they call an attempt at censorship and a violation of free speech, and ensure that its passage could force them to leave the country.
The Brazilian government, which supports the project against the spread of false news on the Internet, has also criticized social media providers for their campaign against the initiative, for trying to put pressure on Brazilian lawmakers and turn public opinion against them.
Justice Minister Flavio Dino accused the two platforms of using their “economic power” to promote an “insulting and dishonest campaign” against the project and a “parliamentary and democratic” debate aimed at curbing the massive spread of disinformation about the Internet.
The State Department said in its petition to the Federal Supreme Court (STF) that the behavior of the directors of both companies may have alleged criminal potential and is therefore asking permission to open an investigation.
In a post it posted on its “website” that the STF forced to retract, Google said the legislative initiative “could increase confusion about what is true or false in Brazil.”
Telegram was more forthright and, in a message circulated to all of its customers, which it was also forced to withdraw, stated that the bill would “kill the Internet in Brazil” and that the country’s democracy was under threat.
The Brazilian state ministry’s request will be analyzed by Justice of the Peace Alexandre de Moraes, who is in charge of the massive misinformation case, who on Wednesday ordered Telegram to withdraw a message it believed to be false, under penalty of a 72-year ban. hours and is punishable by heavy fines.
In its appeal to the STF, the Ministry of State claims that the companies, taking advantage of their hegemonic position in the market, launched a dirty campaign of disinformation, manipulation and intimidation of the parliamentary initiative for the sole purpose of protecting their economic interests.
The contested bill, already passed by the Senate, criminalizes the dissemination of false content on your automated accounts, makes providers liable for third-party content related to payments, and requires providers to have a presence in Brazil.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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