Moraes sends Telegram to appoint a legal representative so as not to go off the air

Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), determined today (26) that the messaging application Telegram appoint a representative in Brazil, within 24 hours of notification, under penalty of being removed from the air, in principle, for 48 hours, as well as being fined R$500,000 per day. The decision was taken in the investigation in which Telegram is investigated for promoting a campaign against the Fake News Bill (PL 2630/2020). The investigation was opened on May 12 at the request of the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) and is aimed at directors and representatives of the company in Brazil. Google Brazil is also investigated. In the case of Telegram, the motivation for the investigation was a message sent to all the app accounts in Brazil, according to which the Fake News PL, which intends to regulate the functioning of social networks and other technology services, would be a “threat to democracy” and would give “censorship powers” ​​to the federal government. After the message, the mayor, Arthur Lira (PP-AL) activated the PGR, indicating that there was an “abusive” campaign by technology companies against the PL of Fake News. With the opening of the investigation, Moraes determined that the Federal Police (PF) should listen to lawyer Alan Campos Elias Thomaz, who acted as a representative of Telegram in Brazil, but the defender informed the agents that he and the office in which he is a partner are no longer services to the platform since May 14. In this Friday’s decision (26), Moraes highlighted that this is not the first time that the Supreme Court has had difficulties in notifying Telegram of judicial decisions, so that they are complied with. In March 2022, the minister had already determined the appointment of representation in Brazil, under penalty of the company not being able to operate in the country. At the time, the president of Telegram, Pavel Durov, sent an email to the Supreme Court stating that he would comply with the determinations of the Brazilian Justice. “At the time, Telegram appointed Alan Campos Elias Thomaz as the legal representative in Brazil, informing that he will continue ‘building and strengthening our Brazilian team’”, highlighted Moraes. The decision for Telegram to present a new representative in the country was sent to an email provided by the company to receive notifications from the Supreme Court.

Agência Brasil