Brazil: Issued STF decision in investigation into Google and Telegram over alleged misinformation related to Bill 2630/20 requiring Telegram to appoint legal representative

On 26 May 2023, the Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) imposed a 24-hour deadline on Telegram to provide the court with its official representation in Brazil. In case of non-compliance with the Court order, Telegram faces suspension of its services in the country for an initial period of 48 hours and a daily fine of BRL 500'000. The decision was made within the context of the investigation, which was initiated to assess the actions of directors from Google and Telegram in Brazil regarding an alleged campaign against Bill 2.630/20, commonly referred to as the Fake News Bill. The request to open an investigation into the representatives of Google and Telegram was brought to the Supreme Court by the Attorney-General's Office (PGR) for using the company's dominant position to influence user perceptions of the Bill. The decision by the Federal Supreme Court references to open an investigation references a study by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, which concluded that both platforms had "billions" from digital advertising at stake. Bill 2630/20 is currently being deliberated in the National Congress and aims to create mechanisms to combat the dissemination of false information on digital platforms and hold companies accountable for allowing the spread of such information.