Brazil: Issued Senacon order requiring Google and Facebook to remove fraudulent ads related to the Voa Brasil program

On 1 November 2023, the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) ruled that the advertisements displayed on Google and Facebook related to the Voa Brasil program were fraudulent. The Voa Brasil program is an initiative by the Brazilian federal government to offer discounts on airline tickets, which has not yet been launched. Senacon took into account the study by NetLab, which identified 622 advertisements involving 52 advertisers and redirecting to 43 scammer websites. Google and Facebook have until 3 November 2023 to remove the content, or they will be fined BR 150'000 per day. Finally, Google and Facebook have 10 days to submit a transparency report on their measures. The report must include the identification of all fraudulent and illegal content and advertising involving Voa Brasil.