Brazil's top court decided Thursday that social media companies must quickly delete hate speech and posts about serious crimes. The ruling forces platforms to take responsibility for illegal content posted by users. Companies no longer need court orders before removing dangerous material. Eight out of eleven judges voted against part of a 2014 internet law. The old law said platforms only faced penalties after ignoring court removal orders.
Judges said companies must act fast against posts promoting terrorism, hate speech, attacks on democracy and child abuse images. Other illegal content still requires someone to report it first before companies face penalties. The decision creates new conflicts between Brazil's court system and technology firms. Last year, Brazil blocked Elon Musk's X platform for 40 days over false information concerns. Tech companies have accused Brazilian officials of censorship.
Justice Luis Roberto Barroso leads the court and defended the new rules. He wrote that free speech remains important but cannot protect online hate crimes and harmful posts. Three judges disagreed with the majority decision. Justice Kassio Nunes argued that people who create harmful content should face punishment instead of the platforms hosting it. Brazil has taken stronger action against questionable social media posts than other Latin American countries.
Judges said companies must act fast against posts promoting terrorism, hate speech, attacks on democracy and child abuse images. Other illegal content still requires someone to report it first before companies face penalties. The decision creates new conflicts between Brazil's court system and technology firms. Last year, Brazil blocked Elon Musk's X platform for 40 days over false information concerns. Tech companies have accused Brazilian officials of censorship.
Justice Luis Roberto Barroso leads the court and defended the new rules. He wrote that free speech remains important but cannot protect online hate crimes and harmful posts. Three judges disagreed with the majority decision. Justice Kassio Nunes argued that people who create harmful content should face punishment instead of the platforms hosting it. Brazil has taken stronger action against questionable social media posts than other Latin American countries.
