Brazil Supreme Court orders 60‑day deadline for big tech compliance

The Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) set a 60‑day deadline for major technology platforms to adopt measures that broaden civil liability for illegal content. The ruling, issued on 11 May, requires platforms to block access to videos depicting sexual exploitation, physical violence, or content that could harm the mental or physical health of children and adolescents. Companies must also maintain a legal representative in Brazil to receive judicial notifications. The new obligations become effective on 27 June 2025, and the final thesis of the case is slated for a vote on 17 May.

The decision follows the STF’s June‑2023 ruling that partially struck down Article 19 of the Marco Civil da Internet, which had limited platform liability. Under the new rules, platforms must promptly remove content classified as anti‑democratic, terrorist, child pornography, hate‑speech, self‑harm encouragement, gender‑based discrimination, crimes against women, and human‑trafficking material. Non‑compliance will expose them to civil damages for moral and material harm caused by users.

Ministers expressed divergent views: Alexandre de Moraes emphasized that platforms are not neutral and should be controlled like any other actor, while André Mendonça warned of potential chilling effects on free expression. The ruling marks a significant shift in Brazil’s approach to online content regulation.