Google criticizes ‘Fake News Bill’ in Brazil and calls for more debate
Google released a statement on Thursday, December 20, opposing the alleged version of Law 2630/2020, known as the Brazilian “Fake News Law,” which, according to many observers, is nothing more than a gag law to censor opponents, desired by the progressive wing of the left, Lula’s PT party, and the Supreme Court.
The matter is expected to be voted on in the House of Representatives next week as a matter of urgency.
In the document, Google asked for more time to debate the proposal and acknowledged the need to answer questions about January 8 and the school attacks. However, it stressed the “dangers” of passing legislation regulating social media.
The platform calls for a debate with various sectors of society. In addition, it calls for creating a special commission to hold discussions on the topic. According to Google, this would give more visibility to the text.
The bill, approved in the Senate in 2020, went to the House of Representatives. If passed, the bill returns to the senators.
Big tech says an advertising campaign will be run against the proposal.
Google claims that the new legislation if rushed, could worsen the functioning of the internet, curtail fundamental rights, and favor certain groups or sectors of the economy in ways that create mechanisms that put legitimate speech and freedom of expression at risk.
“Despite the desire for immediate solutions, proposals for internet regulation discussed without due care may, instead of solving these serious issues, end up harming the work already done, promoting negative impacts on people’s lives,” says Google.
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This article was drafted with automated assistance and reviewed before publication. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief