Google again shows incorrect dollar data; AGU will investigate the case and ask BC for details

The Federal Attorney General’s Office (AGU) will request information from the Central Bank tomorrow about the exchange rate of the dollar after the search site Google displayed the wrong value of the currency in relation to the dollar throughout the day on Christmas Wednesday.

The body informed, in a note, that it wants to gather support for possible action related to possible incorrect information. THE Broadcast (Grupo Estado’s real-time news system) found that the intention is to take legal action against the multinational platform that also operates in Brazil.

The search engine reveals that today’s price is R$6.35, but the markets are closed due to the holiday and, therefore, there are no negotiations. Yesterday, Christmas Eve, there were also no transactions.

The American currency maturing in January 2025, the most liquid contract, ended up being worth R$6.2050. The spot dollar – information that is offered on the platform – closed even lower, at R$6.1851.

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The highest nominal value of the dollar in relation to the real was reached on Wednesday last week (18), when the currency was traded at R$6.267, almost R$0.10 below that displayed today by Google.

This is not the first time that the search engine has reported an incorrect quote, but the case now draws more attention because the markets are closed this Wednesday.

When contacted, Google in Brazil responded, through its press office, that the real-time data displayed in the search comes from third-party global financial data providers.

“We work with our partners to ensure accuracy and investigate and resolve any concerns,” the platform said. The company added that information about its data sources can be found here.

When opening the indicated location, it is possible to identify that the information about quotations comes from Morningstar, a company that declares itself “a leader in providing independent investment research”.

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“Our mission is to create the best products to help investors achieve their financial goals,” says the company’s website, which says it is headquartered in Chicago and has a presence in 27 countries.

The BC will deliver the data requested by the AGU starting tomorrow. The interim president of the Central Bank, Gabriel Galípolo, put the entire team on alert, emphasizing determination, including to employees who are on duty this Christmas.

The current director of Monetary Policy heads the BC at the moment because President Roberto Campos Neto is on recess until the end of the year, when his term expires. Galípolo takes up the post from January 1st.

When contacted, the BC press office declined to comment on the situation. THE Broadcast it was found, however, that the municipality will pass the data to the AGU, which took the initiative to delve deeper into the episode. The relationship on the case will be institutional between the two government bodies.

The foreign exchange market has been experiencing moments of great volatility since the beginning of the year for several reasons. One of them is the significant outflow of resources, as the BC reveals weekly through contracted dollar operations.

Remittances tend to be highest in the last month of every year, but in 2024, records are being broken. To provide liquidity to the market, the BC has been offering currency, also at atypical values ​​for the period.