Hearing is held after the Meta is notified by AGU due to the end of fact checking on the platform
The president’s government Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) will hold a public hearing on Thursday (January 16, 2025) to discuss the recent changes, which include (similar to X). The model will initially be applied in the United States and then expanded to other countries.
The meeting is organized by the (Advocacia Geral da União), headed by Jorge Messias, together with the ministries of , of and with the (Secretariat of Social Communication of the Presidency). Representatives from government bodies, civil society entities, experts, academics and fact-checking agencies will participate.
“Faced with such a scenario, and considering Meta’s confirmation of the change in its Hateful Conduct Policy in Brazil, an initiative that has the effective potential to allow serious human rights violations in the country“he tells AGU.
The hearing takes place after the on Monday (13 January) to an extrajudicial notification from the Brazilian government.
In the document, the company stated that the measure was taken to “reduce exaggeration in the application of policies” of the platform. It will still be up to the company to delete posts containing misinformation when they present a risk of bodily harm or interference in political processes.
Another change in policy big tech is related to the Hateful Conduct Policy, which, according to Meta, “guarantee greater space for freedom of expression”. Read the document (PDF – 53 kB).
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SAYS
The AGU and the bodies involved expressed concern about the new terms adopted by Meta. They consider that they may pose risks to the protection of fundamental rights in the country.
According to the note, the changes contradict commitments made by the company during discussions on the (Supreme Federal Court), when Meta stated that its governance policies were sufficient to protect users’ rights.
“Confirmation of the change and adoption, in Brazil, of the Hateful Conduct Policy which, in all evidence, could represent fertile ground for violation of legislation and constitutional precepts that protect fundamental rights of Brazilian citizens”says in a note.
