The Attorney General of the Union (AGU) notified on Wednesday (14) the companies Meta and Tiktok to immediately remove posts with false information about the trip of the Brazilian entourage to Russia. Platforms have 24 hours to comply with the determination. The goal owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads.
According to AGU, the fake news in question claims that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s entourage (PT) would have traveled on a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) cargo plane carrying 200 bags with money diverted from the National Institute of Social Security (INSS). Publications also state that the first lady, Janja da Silva, was reportedly detained at an airport in Russia with the money, generating a diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
In a statement, the AGU pointed out that the contents are “absolutely false” and aim to “compromise the legitimacy of the diplomatic mission of the Brazilian state”. According to the agency, publications “have the potential to vulnerate institutional stability and compromise the integrity of public policies protected by the Union”.
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The document sent to technology companies warns that they can be held responsible if the content is not removed.
Combat to misinformation
Notification is part of the Brazilian government’s efforts to combat the spread of false news that may affect the country’s image and impair its international relations. On several occasions, the Lula government has noted that it will not tolerate the spread of misleading content that compromises institutional security or damage to Brazil’s reputation.
On international trips, Secom (Presidency Communication Secretariat) has maintained a policy of immediate response to fake rumors and information, seeking to trigger digital platforms to ensure rapid removal of misleading content.
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Legal measures under study
In addition to notification to the platforms, AGU studies the possibility of judicially triggering the authors of false publications, seeking to blame them for any damage to the country’s image and the violation of national security laws and protection of the honor and image of government representatives.
The federal government has also pressured digital platforms to adopt stricter policies against misinformation, especially in content that directly affects institutional security and diplomatic relations in Brazil.
