Brazil gives Meta until Monday to explain policy changes

• Published On: 12 January 2025 at 04:46

Brazil's government has given Meta until Monday to explain its recent policy changes, Solicitor General Jorge Messias said on Friday.

This deadline comes after Meta decided to discontinue its fact-checking program in the United States and loosen restrictions on discussions about immigration and gender identity.

The exact consequences of the deadline's expiration are unclear. Messias expressed the Brazilian government's deep concern about Meta's shifting policies, comparing the company's approach to a "airport windsock," which changes direction based on external factors. He also stated that Brazilian society should not be subjected to such arbitrary decisions.

On Thursday, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned the changes as "extremely serious" and stated that further discussions on the subject would take place.

Meta has yet to address the situation. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the changes earlier this week, citing "too many mistakes and too much censorship." According to a company spokesperson, the changes will only affect the United States market for the time being.