Brazil says Meta hate speech policy changes do not fit with local law

Brazil's government said on Tuesday it is “seriously concerned” about Meta Platforms' recently announced changes to its hate speech policy, adding that it believes they do not comply with the country's legislation. The Brazilian government ordered the social media company, which also owns Instagram and Threads, to explain its plans, which President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had previously labeled “extremely serious.” Brazil Top Market For Meta Brazil is a top market for Meta, where government data show Facebook alone has about 100 million active users. The government did not immediately clarify which aspects of Meta's policy might be illegal, but said the latest changes “could represent fertile ground for the violation of laws that protect fundamental rights of Brazilian citizens.” Local legislation forbids some forms of hate speech, such as racial slurs and remarks that attack people for their religion. The office of Brazil's solicitor general in a statement criticized Meta, saying that “some aspects” of the letter caused the government “serious concern.” It highlighted the changes to the hate speech policy, which apply to Brazil.