Digital offense investigations in Brazil

Authorities in several Brazilian municipalities have initiated investigations into various digital crimes and the spread of misinformation.

In Codó, the 4th Regional Civil Police issued a clarification to address social media rumors regarding alleged child kidnappings, stating that no formal occurrences confirming such reports have been recorded. Police warned against the spread of “fake news” intended to cause public panic and noted that those responsible for spreading false information can be held criminally liable.

In Cassilândia, police are investigating a surge in criminal complaints involving defamation, libel, and false content distributed via social media and WhatsApp. Local officials and business owners have sought criminal sanctions, with authorities noting that individuals sharing defamatory content may face the same legal penalties as the original authors.

In Nova Olímpia, investigations are underway regarding recordings containing racist insults, political attacks, and statements defending sexual violence. Authorities have identified a teenage suspect and are proceeding to the testimony phase with victims and witnesses.