The president and other government figures criticized the decision that changed the company’s social media policies.
The new text allows the association of mental illnesses with sexual orientation. For the company, hateful conduct is defined as direct attacks on people, not concepts and institutions.
Meta has, however, committed to removing false information if it directly contributes to the risk of imminent bodily harm. Content that directly alters the functioning of political processes in countries will also be removed.
This Thursday, the Brazilian government raised its voice against the company’s changes.
“What we want is for each country to have its sovereignty protected,” he said in an interview with journalists.
Vice President Geraldo Alckmin defended the regulation of big techs and highlighted that platforms need to be held accountable. According to Alckmin, companies will only be able to operate in Brazil if they follow the legislation.
European views
Canadian, European and Australian representatives also rejected the end of fact checking on Meta’s networks. In Germany, concern is growing about possible interference by social media in elections.
This Thursday (9), Elon Musk held a broadcast with Alice Weidel, chancellor candidate for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he rejects the businessman’s stance. “The decisive factor is that Mr. Musk supported a party that is, in part, far-right and, as we can see, is not only active in that direction in this country. And that’s something we don’t just disagree with.”, he said in an interview this week.
French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron reiterated that Musk is interfering in European electoral processes. “Ten years ago, if we were told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support a new international reactionary wave and intervene directly in elections, including in Germany, who would have imagined? This is the world we live in and with which we are dealing in the field of diplomacy.”, said the prime minister.
The businessman had already waved at the AfD and criticized Prime Minister Olaf Scholz’s management. Musk stated that only the party can save the country.
European Union leaders have called on the bloc to use legal means if Musk declares support for the candidate, which violates EU technology rules on election interference.
According to a survey by the YouGov institute, 59% of Germans believe that the businessman’s support will benefit the AfD in the February election.
* with information from Reuters
