Brazil Supreme Court stalls hearing on big‑tech liability ruling
The Supreme Federal Court (STF) in Brazil withdrew from its agenda the hearing of nine appeals that challenge a June 2025 decision extending the responsibility of digital platforms for illegal user‑generated content. The hearing had been set for a virtual plenary between May 29 and June 9, but relator Justice Dias Toffoli sent the case to a presencial session, leaving President Justice Edson Fachin to schedule a new date.
The appeals were filed by Google and Facebook, which ask the Court to clarify when the ruling takes effect, arguing that the decision’s wording leaves “fundamental questions” about its applicability to past cases. The original ruling found article 19 of Brazil’s Marco Civil da Internet partially unconstitutional, limiting platform liability only for defamation offenses, while article 21 now requires prompt removal of other illegal content after user notification. The government issued a decree adjusting the civil‑unresponsibility framework to reflect the Court’s ruling, but the decree remains contested as the decision has not yet become final.
The outcome will shape how major tech companies operate in Brazil and could influence broader discussions on internet regulation.