Brazilian Internet Steering Committee issues social media regulation guidelines

The Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br) has released a set of 46 guidelines intended to guide the regulation of social media platforms in Brazil. The document serves as a technical and institutional framework to support discussions within the National Congress, the Judiciary, and regulatory bodies.

The guidelines cover several key areas, including platform responsibility, algorithmic transparency, the use of artificial intelligence, market competition, and the protection of human rights. Specifically, the committee recommends that platforms increase transparency regarding content moderation, disclosure of rules for removing or limiting posts, and how algorithms recommend content to users. Regarding artificial intelligence, the guidelines suggest that systems should be capable of considering the Portuguese language and Brazilian cultural characteristics.

A central principle of the proposal is asymmetric regulation, which suggests that requirements should vary based on a company's size, reach, and revenue. This approach aims to impose stricter obligations on larger platforms while preserving innovation for smaller providers and new market entrants. Additionally, the document recommends that foreign social media platforms maintain legal representation or an office within the country to ensure national sovereignty and jurisdiction.