• Brazil's Supreme Court mandates social media platforms to remove illegal content immediately.
• Companies like Meta and Google express concerns over the implications for free speech and business.
• The ruling may deepen tensions between tech companies and the Brazilian government.

On June 26, Brazil's Supreme Court ruled that social media platforms are now officially liable for illegal content posted by users. This ruling obliges companies to act "immediately" to eliminate hate speech, terrorism-related content, and anti-democratic acts without requiring a court order, marking a significant shift in the legal landscape for digital platforms in Brazil, which has intensified scrutiny on online content like no other Latin American nation, according to Le Monde and The Jakarta Post.

The ruling modifies the existing legal framework established by Brazil’s 2014 Internet Civil Framework. Previously, digital platforms were only held accountable for failing to comply with court orders to remove illegal content. Now, individuals can sue these companies if they flag illegal content that remains untouched, a change that was deemed necessary to better protect citizens' fundamental rights and democracy, avoiding the "abyss of incivility" associated with unchecked online discourse, according to Le Monde and India Times.

In response, major tech companies have expressed significant concerns over potential impacts on free speech and business operations in Brazil. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, cautioned that the ruling might lead to legal uncertainties and could stifle innovation and economic development within the digital ecosystem. Google echoed similar worries, stating they were analyzing how the decision could affect freedom of expression and the digital economy, according to India Times.