They were often used to send notice of a soldier’s death, capture or wounding. Telegrams were used by governments and war correspondents needing to communicate quickly and efficiently. The post Messaging app Telegram calls Brazil disinformation law ‘attack on democracy’ appeared first on France 24.Exhibits Messages by Wire: Telegrams from the Time of the First World Warĭuring the First World War, telegrams were the fastest way to send written communication. It shot to prominence after Bolsonaro supporters ran riot in Brasilia on January 8, allegedly egged on by social media disinformation claiming their candidate’s 2022 election loss to Lula was fraudulent. In March 2022, a Supreme Court justice threatened to block Telegram in Brazil for refusal to respect court orders, notably one to suspend the account of blogger Allan dos Santos, a prominent backer of far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro who is under investigation for spreading disinformation.ĭubbed the “fake news bill” by the media and the “censorship bill” by opponents, the Brazilian legislation was introduced three years ago. The ruling was overturned on appeal two days later. Last month, a court ruled to suspend the app for refusing to give the authorities requested data on neo-Nazi groups allegedly fueling school violence via the platform. Telegram has also faced legal problems in Brazil.

Google removed the message the same day the National Consumer Protection Bureau ordered it to also give space to opposing views or face a fine of one million reais ($200,000) an hour. The US tech giant had displayed a prominent message on its Brazilian homepage warning the legislation could “make your internet worse.” Telegram’s statement came a week after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s government accused Google of “deceitful and abusive propaganda” against the bill. It claimed the bill “gives the government censorship powers without prior judicial oversight,” calling it “one of the most dangerous pieces of legislation ever considered in Brazil.” “ Brazil is about to pass a law that will end free speech,” the company said in a message sent to users on Bill 2630, which has passed the Senate and is awaiting a vote in the lower house of Congress.

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