Brazil: Closed investigation into Google and Telegram representatives over alleged misinformation related to Bill 2630/20

On 20 June 2024, the Federal Supreme Court (STF) closed the investigation into the roles of management personnel in the alleged disinformation campaign by Google and Telegram against the currently debated Law on Freedom, Responsibility, and Transparency on the Internet (Bill no. 2.630/2020, known as the Fake News Bill). The case was initiated at the request of the Public Prosecutor's Office (PGR) to investigate alleged criminal actions by directors and other responsible parties at Google Brazil and Telegram Brazil for allegedly using the companies' dominant market positions to influence users' perceptions of the Bill. The Federal Police submitted a final report indicating that the actions of Google and Telegram could be considered as promoting misleading and abusive advertising and impacting consumer relations negatively. However, the PGR ultimately recommended the closure of the investigation, citing insufficient evidence to prove the occurrence of crimes under the definitions provided, including violent abolition of the Democratic State and abusive economic power. The SFT decided to close the criminal investigation, following the prosecutor's recommendation and specified that the gathered evidence could be used in civil or administrative proceedings related to digital misinformation and violence. In the investigation report, the Federal Public Ministry noted that the findings may potentially be used in civil and administrative investigations, notably in Civil Inquiry No. 1.34.001.009969/2021-3519, which investigates potential violations of fundamental rights by the providers.