Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro issued a decree on Monday that alters the rules for supervising social media content, which his opponents claim could hinder efforts to combat misinformation. The decree, which takes immediate effect but must be ratified by Congress to hold legal authority, aims to combat "arbitrary and unjustified removal of accounts, profiles, and content by providers," according to the government's secretariat for communication.
The far-right president, who has had content removed for spreading false information about the COVID-19 pandemic, considers the suspension of accounts or removal of content by platforms as "censorship" against him and some of his supporters. The new decree outlines a series of circumstances that constitute a "valid basis" for removing content or suspending users (such as committing crimes and violence) and imposes new procedures on platforms for enforcing such suspensions.
A Facebook spokesperson stated in an email received by AFP that "this temporary measure significantly limits our ability to curtail misuse on our platforms." They added that the platform "agrees with the views of many experts and lawyers who see the proposal as violating constitutional rights and guarantees."
Opposition Deputy Alessandro Molon, the rapporteur for the text that outlines the framework for internet use in Brazil, which has been in place since 2014, confirmed he is preparing legal action to annul the presidential decree. The deputy mentioned that "its aim is not to protect freedom of expression, as the internet framework law fundamentally ensures that," arguing that "what Bolsonaro wants is to prevent the continued removal of misinformation and hate speech promoted by him and his supporters on public platforms."
Bolsonaro issued the decree on the eve of a day expected to be marked by tension. The president has called on his supporters to demonstrate in major cities across the country on Tuesday, September 7, the national holiday, and violence could erupt if they clash with anti-Bolsonaro protesters who have announced their intention to organize demonstrations as well.
On the eve of the demonstration, Brazilian authorities reported that hundreds of Bolsonaro supporters successfully breached a police barrier and reached the central area of Brasília on Monday night. They stated that the president's supporters arrived in trucks and other vehicles, "breaking through containment barriers" to access the road leading to Parliament and the Supreme Court. The police noted that this avenue was closed for security reasons.
In videos shared on social media and reported by local media, a small convoy of vehicles can be seen arriving at the Ministry square, greeted by protesters who gathered on foot, waving Brazilian flags. One protester shouted, "We just entered! The police couldn't hold back the people! Tomorrow we will storm the Supreme Court." Police confirmed they were present in the area "to restore order," with CNN Brazil reporting that police appeared to be in control of the situation.
