Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered Apple and Google to assist in blocking access to the Telegram messaging app within the country. He issued the decision on Monday.
Following the sealing of the decision, which was handed down today, Telegram must be officially suspended by Brazil’s telecommunications agency Anatel unless it complies with local rules and pays a series of fines. The report follows charges that Telegram, which has emerged as a communications hub for President Jair Bolsonaro, has failed to restrict users from disseminating disinformation. Telegram has denied the allegations.
Brazilian authorities threatened to stop Telegram earlier this year, claiming that the company had failed to react to pleas for assistance in combating erroneous electoral information. Telegram replied in February by deactivating three channels belonging to Brazilian blogger Allan dos Santos, who is located in the United States and is a supporter of Bolosnaro. He was accused of disseminating falsehoods and instigating violence. In contrast, according to an Associated Press summary of today’s order, Moraes claimed that the corporation has been uncooperative with the government. According to reports, the decision gives Apple, Google, and local phone carriers five days to block Telegram, while Anatel has 24 hours to put an official halt to the messaging app’s operations.
