English 
Spanish 
4 min read 
0 comments 
In an unprecedented global alliance, the European Union is turning to Brazil to learn from Lula how to combat digital disinformation. The resistance of big tech, the attacks by Elon Musk and the clash with the Supreme Federal Court highlight the urgency of regulation.
In a global scenario where digital disinformation has become a central concern, world leaders are seeking effective strategies to protect democratic integrity.
According to Bloomberg news agency, the European Union turned its eyes to Brazil, interested in the measures adopted by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva against the spread of fake news and hate speech on social media.
Last year, Brazil temporarily suspended the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, due to the proliferation of hate speech and fake news.
- Ozempic, Mounjaro and muscle loss!
- Who really controls agriculture? Find out who finances rural production in Brazil and how this affects your pocket!
- Uber says goodbye to another country and the reason behind the decision took everyone by surprise!
- While the US deports Brazilians, the Brazilian Senate approves visa exemption for citizens of the US, Canada and Australia
Since then, the Brazilian government, under Lula's leadership, has stepped up its efforts to combat disinformation, which is considered a direct threat to democracy.
This stance caught the attention of European leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron and the President of the European Council, António Costa, who sought to engage in dialogue with Lula on ways to preserve national sovereignty and face the challenges posed by social media.
International dialogues with Lula
Lula and Macron held several conversations on the topic, exploring areas in which Brazil could share its experience.
According to Tiennot Sciberras, press advisor at the French Embassy in Brazil, “Brazil is encouraging us in this initiative to fight against disinformation in the climate area”.
These dialogues reflect a mutual concern for the integrity of information circulating online and its impact on public policy.
Confrontation with big techs
the performance of Elon Musk, owner of the X platform, has been a source of tension between governments and technology companies.
Musk has amplified conspiracy theories and clashed with political leaders in the UK, Germany and the European Union.
The response to these actions could serve as a model for other countries or highlight the limits of government power over big tech.
Lula and Brazil's Experience
Brazil has a long history of dealing with the challenges posed by social media platforms, which are mostly controlled by US companies.
Recently, an AI-generated video was falsely circulated showing Finance Minister Fernando Haddad announcing new taxes.
Furthermore, unfounded rumors, spread by opposition lawmakers, alleged that the government would tax the Pix payment system, forcing Planalto to reconsider plans to increase supervision of the financial sector.
Position of the Judiciary
The minister of the Supreme Federal Court, Alexandre de Moraes, highlighted that “social networks are not a lawless land”.
In January, after Meta announced the end of fact-checking programs in the US, Moraes stated that platforms will only be able to operate in the country if they respect Brazilian laws, regardless of the bluster of irresponsible technology leaders.
Government measures
The Brazilian government is developing proposals to tax big tech and regulate competition in the sector.
At the same time, the STF is discussing the responsibility of platforms in relation to hate speech, fake news and insults posted by users.
In Congress, a project to regulate artificial intelligence has already been approved by the Senate and is awaiting a vote in the Chamber.
Platform resistance
Big techs have shown resistance to the Lula government's initiatives.
In January, representatives from companies including Google, Meta, TikTok and X were invited to participate in a public hearing on content moderation, but they neither attended nor gave an explanation for their absence.
This stance could increase tensions with the US, especially considering the close relationship between Elon Musk and the administration. Donald Trump.
International alliances
Lula is seeking to turn his fight against disinformation into a global cause. In January, he and Macron discussed “the joint fight against disinformation and the regulation of social networks.”
The British government also said that Brazil and the United Kingdom have launched “joint projects to strengthen public resistance against disinformation”.
future challenges
The urgency of the issue only increases.
Musk has promoted conspiracy theories, made personal attacks on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and supported the far-right Alternative for Germany party in February's federal election.
The European Union, in turn, has expanded an investigation into X to determine whether the platform violates its content moderation rules.
Lula and Brazil's national priority
For Lula, regulating social media is a priority, especially after the attempted coup on January 8, 2023, which had social media as its main driver.
Disinformation continues to be used to undermine institutions such as the electoral system and Pix, showing the severity of the digital problem.
The Brazilian government tried to pass a regulation last year, but the right-wing opposition claimed censorship and blocked debate.
Legislative efforts
Now, Lula sees a new opportunity to revisit the issue. Jorge Messias, the attorney general of the Union, stated that “just as the States created antitrust bodies to confront monopolies and cartels in the past, they now need to organize themselves to combat the enormous power of big tech.”
He stressed that “governments around the world need to come together to confront this new phenomenon.”
