A Brazilian Supreme Court judge on Friday ordered a probe into Google and Telegram’s “abusive campaign” against a contentious piece of legislation intended to stop internet misinformation.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered federal police to launch an investigation into the two businesses and their executives in Brazil, which has been the subject of bitter controversy over a measure that some have dubbed the “censorship bill.”
The lower chamber of Congress is presently debating the bill, which was presented in 2020 to address a deluge of false information online.
It gained notoriety earlier this year when far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro’s followers reportedly set up a riot in Brasilia on January 8 as a result of misinformation spread on social media that claimed their candidate’s 2022 election defeat to leftist successor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was fake.
Supporters see the legislation as a much needed safeguard against online extremism and misinformation.
However, Bolsonaro backers claim that it would lead to the establishment of an Orwellian “Truth Ministry” that would suppress the opinions of the populace.
The plan, which would require them to engage outside auditors and regulate how they handle certain types of information, is opposed by tech businesses as well.
This week, Google warned on its website that the measure “seriously threatens free speech,” while Telegram published a message to its more than 40 million Brazilian users, branding the legislation a “attack on democracy.”
Moraes has previously criticized big tech for using its platforms to oppose the law.
He gave Telegram till Wednesday to remove the anti-bill broadcast message or risk suspension.
Google also received criticism.
Justice Minister Flavio Dino charged the US tech giant with “manipulating” search results to prominently feature information critical of the measure. The business refuted the accusation.
Additionally, consumer protection regulators warned Google that failing to balance its messages with “counter-propaganda” might result in a one million real ($200,000) per hour penalties.