The president of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Luís Roberto Barroso, defended on Monday, 10, the regulation of social networks and artificial intelligence tools as essential measures to protect human rights and democracy.
The statement was given during a tribute received at the Court of Auditors of the Municipality of São Paulo (TCM-SP). For the minister, it is urgent to combat the dissemination of hatred and misinformation on digital platforms, without compromising freedom of expression.
“Aggressiveness, the lie, the absurdity bring much more engagement than the moderate, rational and respectful speech. There is a perverse incentive to the dissemination of hatred, misinformation and bad things. In this world, we need to preserve freedom of expression, because it is vital, but at the same time, preventing life from falling into an abyss of incivility, ”said the STF Minister.
The Court analyzes an action that discusses the responsibility of platforms for contents published by users. The rapporteur, Minister Dias Toffoli, and Minister Luiz Fux voted to expand this responsibility.
Barroso, in turn, presented a partial divergence, advocating immediate, without court order, of content involving child pornography, terrorism and attacks on democracy, but maintaining the requirement for court decision for cases of crimes against honor. The trial was suspended after Minister André Mendonça’s request.
For the minister, the judiciary gave “reasonable time” for the legislature to elaborate rules on the liability of platforms. However, Barroso pointed out that “Congress has not produced possible consensus” and that the court cannot deny the trial “because it has no law or is very difficult,” the STF president told journalists.
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Barroso also defended the use of artificial intelligence to speed up legal proceedings in Brazil and the use of body cameras to improve public safety. He praised the governor of Sao Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), stating that he “convinced himself of the arguments.”
“Regarding body cameras, all research indicates that they improve public safety, decrease police lethality and protect good police officers. I make a public compliment here to the Governor of the State of São Paulo who has convinced himself of these arguments and is implementing this model, ”said Barroso
