Telegram warns of halting work in Brazil after the adoption of the law on fakes

Telegram and other Internet companies may leave Brazil if the country’s authorities pass a bill to combat fake news, informed Telegram channel of the messenger in Brazil.

The bill, the report says, empowers the government to exercise censorship by forcing internet platforms to remove inappropriate content and block services without a court order. In addition, the bill requires platforms to inform law enforcement agencies about offenses that have occurred or are being prepared, which will create a permanent system of surveillance of people, according to Telegram.

“If it (the bill) is approved, companies like Telegram may have to stop providing services in Brazil,” they added.

The bill will be considered by the country’s parliament under an accelerated procedure immediately at the plenary session, notes TASS. The initiative also criminalizes the publication of disinformation through bots and requires companies providing digital services to have a physical representative in Brazil.

At the end of April, a Brazilian court ruled to block Telegram in the country, but two days later canceled this is the solution. At the same time, the judge upheld a daily fine of about $ 200,000 for the messenger’s failure to provide information requested by law enforcement officers.