Messias and Rui Costa say the government will question Meta about the end of fact-checking

The Advocate General of the Union (AGU), Jorge Messiasstated that the government will question Meta this Friday (10) asking for explanations on how the company will protect users, following the decision by the owner of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp to end fact checking on their platforms in the United States .

According to him, the government will not allow social networks to transform the environment into “digital carnage or barbarism”.

The minister gave the statements at Palácio do Planalto after meeting with the president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and other members of the government to discuss the American company’s decision and the general situation of social networks in Brazil.

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Messias said that Meta’s policies are not transparent and compared them to an “airport windsock” – in the sense that they change according to the political winds, in this case, to please the elected president of the United States, Donald Trump.

According to him, it is possible that legal measures will be taken against the technology giant, but this will only be discussed after the company responds to the government’s questions. He mentioned that the government is concerned with the protection, for example, of children and teenagers who use social networks.

The Chief Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa (PT)was also at the meeting and participated in the interview with journalists. He said that the control of digital networks was debated and that regulation of the sector will be part of the government’s agenda. He stated that the Executive will discuss proposals on the topic in a working group to deliver to the Legislature when the recess ends in February.

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“The president was clear at the meeting that he will not give up Brazil’s sovereignty. Any and all national or multinational companies, national or international communications groups will have to respect the Brazilian legal framework and will have to respect Brazilian justice”, said Rui Costa.

The Minister of the Civil House mentioned as an example of damage caused by unregulated networks the false video that circulated on Thursday (9) of the Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad (PT), allegedly saying that he would increase taxes. Costa stated that this type of case causes damage to the economy.

Rui Costa said that the government views Meta’s decision with concern and wants to know whether the company will end fact-checking only in the United States or whether it will do the same in Brazil.

After this doubt is resolved, the Executive will discuss whether it will take any action on the matter, according to the minister.