Meta faces Brazilian government scrutiny over fact-checking overhaul

The Brazilian government has given Facebook's parent company Meta a deadline until Monday to clarify its decision to overhaul its fact-checking policies, Solicitor General Jorge Messias said Friday.

The move follows Meta’s announcement of discontinuing its U.S. fact-checking program and relaxing restrictions on sensitive discussions, including immigration and gender identity.

Messias expressed concern about Meta's shifting policies, describing them as inconsistent and unacceptable for Brazilian society. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also called the changes "extremely serious" during remarks on Thursday, signaling the administration’s intent to address the matter.

The changes, announced Tuesday by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, were attributed to "too many mistakes and too much censorship." A Meta spokesperson indicated that the adjustments currently apply only to the U.S. market. The company has yet to respond to Brazil's request for clarification.