The Brazilian government has given Meta 72 hours to explain its recent changes to its fact-checking program, according to Solicitor General Jorge Messias. This demand comes after the social media giant decided to scrap its U.S.-based fact-checking initiative and loosen restrictions on discussions about sensitive topics like immigration and gender identity.
The Brazilian government expressed significant concern over Meta’s policy shift, with Messias criticizing the company’s inconsistency, likening it to an “airport windsock” that changes direction based on external pressures. He emphasized that Brazilian society would not tolerate such policy shifts.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also weighed in on the issue, calling Meta’s changes “extremely serious” and signaling his intention to address the matter further. While Meta has not yet responded to inquiries about the Brazilian government’s demand, CEO Mark Zuckerberg cited the reasoning behind the decision, blaming “too many mistakes and too much censorship.” He clarified that the changes were initially planned solely for the U.S. market.
Meta’s recent decisions have sparked controversy, with critics arguing that loosening restrictions could encourage misinformation.