Brazil President Lula signs decrees reshaping internet platform rules, prompting big‑tech pushback

Lula decrees Marco Civil da Internet big tech opposition ANPD authority platform liability

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed decrees that modify the Marco Civil da Internet, Brazil's foundational law for online services. The decrees translate parts of a Supreme Court decision into concrete obligations, expanding the authority of the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) to regulate content moderation and hold digital platforms civilly liable.

Associations representing major tech companies—including Google, Meta, X, Amazon, TikTok and OpenAI—have issued a joint letter criticizing the decrees as an atypical use of executive power that bypasses the usual legislative process. They warn that the measures create legal uncertainty, increase compliance costs, and could force excessive content removal, especially affecting smaller providers.

Opposition deputies in the Chamber of Deputies have introduced legislative projects to suspend the decrees, arguing that the executive has overstepped by extending ANPD’s powers without congressional approval and by redefining the legal framework for the internet in Brazil.