The United States House Legal Committee released a report on the orders of Federal Supreme Court (STF) Minister Alexandre de Moraes. The committee sent a document to the American government to inquire about President Joe Biden’s involvement in censoring personalities in Brazil, particularly on social media platforms. They also requested information on what steps the Biden administration is taking to promote freedom of expression abroad.
In the document sent to Uzra Zeya, Undersecretary of State for Civil Security, Democracy, and Human Rights of the US government, the committee expressed concerns about potential collusion between the US Executive Branch and companies to censor legal speech. The committee mentioned that they were examining how governments, including Brazil, were attempting to censor online speech.
Recent reports indicated that Brazil had blocked certain accounts on a social media platform that the Brazilian government deemed to be spreading disinformation. After defending freedom of expression online, a Brazilian judge opened an investigation into the actions of the platform, which resisted censorship demands. The committee requested all documents and communications related to the orders issued by the Brazilian Superior Electoral Court (TSE) and the STF that led to the suspension or removal of accounts on social media platforms.
Furthermore, the committee asked the Biden government to prepare a report with input from experts on the appropriate response by the State Department to attacks on freedom of expression in Brazil. The Biden administration was given a deadline of the 30th of the month to provide the requested information.
In summary, the United States House Legal Committee is actively investigating potential censorship issues in Brazil and seeking clarity from the American government on its involvement in promoting freedom of expression internationally.