Brazil's government has set a deadline for Meta to clarify the recent modifications made to its fact-checking program. Solicitor General Jorge Messias announced that Meta has until Monday to provide an explanation for the changes. This decision follows Meta's decision to discontinue its US fact-checking program and relax restrictions on discussions related to topics like immigration and gender identity.
The Brazilian government has expressed significant concerns regarding Meta's shifting policies, likening them to an airport windsock that changes direction based on external influences. Messias emphasized that Brazilian society will not tolerate such unpredictable policies.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva described Meta's actions as 'extremely serious' and called for a meeting to address the issue. Meta has not yet responded to requests for comments on the matter.
Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, justified the changes by citing 'too many mistakes and too much censorship.' The company clarified that these alterations are currently limited to the US market.
Notably, a prominent newspaper that collaborated with Meta on its US fact-checking program has chosen not to provide a statement regarding the situation.
