Brazil’s Lula Criticizes Meta’s Fact-Checking Changes as ‘Extremely Serious’

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed strong concern on Thursday over Meta’s decision to overhaul its fact-checking program in the United States, calling it “extremely serious.” Lula, who was speaking to reporters in Brasilia, emphasized the importance of holding digital platforms accountable in the same way as traditional media outlets. He added that the issue would be discussed in a meeting with government officials later that day.

Meta’s decision to alter its fact-checking approach in the U.S. has drawn attention from Brazilian authorities, particularly amid an ongoing investigation into social media platforms’ handling of misinformation and online violence in Brazil. Following Meta’s announcement, Brazilian prosecutors demanded clarity on whether the changes would also apply to the South American country. Meta has yet to respond to the request through its office in Brazil, and the company was given 30 days to provide further details.

Brazil’s legal authorities, including Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, have made it clear that tech companies must comply with local laws if they wish to continue operating in Brazil. In 2023, de Moraes oversaw a ruling that temporarily suspended the social media platform X in Brazil, a decision underscoring the country’s stance on enforcing accountability among digital platforms.