Moraes threatens to suspend Telegram in Brazil for 72 hours

PL of Fake News

Moraes’ decision comes after the app sent users a message considered disinformation about the Fake News PL

Brasilia DF) – The Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) Alexandre de Moraes threatened to suspend Telegram throughout the national territory, for 72 hours, if the application does not remove from its platform a message considered to be disinformation about the PL of Fake News. The magistrate also determined that the Federal Police collect the testimony of the application’s representatives in Brazil within 48 hours.

The decision came after the application sent users, this Tuesday (9), an information sheet accompanied by links asking Internet users to pressure their deputies to vote against the Fake News PL.

Moraes also ordered Telegram to send the following message to all users:

“By determination of the FEDERAL SUPREME COURT, the company Telegram communicates: The previous message from Telegram characterized FLAGRANT and ILLEGAL DISINFORMATION that attacks the National Congress, the Judiciary, the Rule of Law and the Brazilian Democracy, since, fraudulently, it distorted the discussion and the debates on the regulation of providers of social networks and private messaging services (PL 2630), in an attempt to induce and instigate users to coerce parliamentarians.”

In the decision, Moraes still determines a fine of R$ 500 thousand per hour, even if the application is already off the air, if Telegram does not comply with the measure.

In a campaign against the bill that creates the regulatory framework on the internet, the Fake News PL, Telegram began to forward messages to users on Tuesday (9). The newsletter is accompanied by links and asks internet users to pressure their deputies to vote against the PL.

The text exposes the concerns of the platform and says it considers the PL “one of the most dangerous legislations ever considered in Brazil”.

“Brazil is about to pass a law that will end freedom of expression. PL 2630/2020 gives the government censorship powers without prior judicial oversight. For fundamental human rights, this bill is one of the most dangerous pieces of legislation ever considered in Brazil. Talk to your congressman here or on social media today – Brazilians deserve a free internet and a free future,” says the forwarded note.

The link triggered in the message takes the user to a chat with out-of-context excerpts from the bill. “See how this bill will kill the modern internet if it passes with its current wording. If approved, companies like Telegram may have to stop providing services in Brazil.”

*With information from Metrópoles

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