Without consensus between government and opposition, project that aims to supervise technology giants faces resistance and could be decided via TSE resolutions in an election year
The federal government’s bill that proposes the regulation of the so-called “Big Techs” (global companies such as Google, Meta, Apple and Microsoft) has once again stalled in the National Congress. With the election year of 2026 approaching, the lack of consensus between the government base and the opposition indicates that the proposal is unlikely to be voted on in the short term, leaving the way clear for the Electoral Court to dictate the sector’s rules.
The proposal defended by the Lula government seeks to reduce what it classifies as the “monopoly” of digital giants in the Brazilian market. One of the central points is the question about the tying of services, as occurs in the Android system, which already comes with pre-installed Google applications, limiting competitiveness. The project is based on four main pillars:
- Structure at CADE: creation of a Digital Markets Superintendency within the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE).
- Inspection criteria: Companies with global annual revenues exceeding R$5 billion annually in Brazil and R$50 billion globally would be inspected
- Transparency and portability: mandatory clear search criteria and guarantee of free data portability.
- Local presence and fines: erequirement of physical offices in Brazil and provision for daily fines of up to R$20,000 for non-compliance with standards.
Big Techs and opposition parliamentarians criticize the measure. Sector giants use the success of the Pix system as an argument that the Brazilian market is open and competitive. The opposition, led by names such as deputy Caroline de Toni (PL-SC), argues that the regulation could harm freedom of expression and limit the use of social networks.
To speed up the process, the government even called for urgency, counting on the support of leaders of six center-right parties (such as Republicans, PL, PDT, PSD, MDB and União Brasil), in an attempt to take the text directly to the plenary. However, the political conflict halted progress on the agenda.
*With information from Matheus Dias
*Report produced with the help of AI
