Yazılar

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

/in /tarafından

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.

 

Brazil Demands Explanation from Meta Over Changes to Fact-Checking Program

/in /tarafından

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.

 

European Central Bank Joins Bluesky, Rival to Elon Musk’s X

/in /tarafından

The European Central Bank (ECB) has started posting on the Bluesky platform, a competitor to Elon Musk’s X, formerly known as Twitter. The ECB’s move to join Bluesky comes as Musk intensifies his political campaigning in Europe, including urging voters in Germany to support a far-right party. Bluesky is one of several platforms attempting to challenge X’s dominance following Musk’s acquisition of the site.

An ECB spokesperson explained that the central bank aims to diversify its social media presence and had started engaging with several new platforms last year, making Bluesky the latest addition. The ECB’s initial post on Bluesky included an interview with its chief economist, Philip Lane, which was also shared on X. The ECB plans to continue using X alongside its new presence on Bluesky.

Musk’s political influence on X has been controversial, with critics accusing the platform of enabling the spread of misinformation. Recently, Musk hosted the leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on X, an interaction that the European Commission has stated it will monitor for disinformation. Musk has also supported Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.

In contrast, the ECB, under President Christine Lagarde, has focused on issues like gender equality and climate change. Musk, a vocal critic of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, has also been outspoken against climate change efforts, supporting figures like former President Donald Trump, who has labeled climate change a hoax. Musk’s stance on the Federal Reserve has been similarly critical, calling the institution “absurdly overstaffed” and advocating for its dissolution.

Despite Bluesky’s recent growth, with 2.5 million new users added after Trump’s election, it remains much smaller than its competitors. Threads has around 252 million monthly active users, while X has approximately 317 million, according to Sensor Tower data. However, Bluesky has faced challenges with EU regulators, who criticized the platform last year for not providing essential details about its user base in the region.