Digital platforms operating in Brazil must now follow new oversight and accountability rules to combat criminal content on their services [1, 2].

These regulations represent a significant shift in how the Brazilian government holds big tech companies accountable for the information disseminated by their users. By restricting previous legal protections, the state aims to ensure that platforms are no longer passive hosts but active participants in removing illegal material [3, 4].

The new requirements are established under Decree No. 12.975/2026 [3]. This decree regulates a decision by the Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) that restricted Article 19 of the Marco Civil da Internet, which previously limited the liability of internet service providers for third-party content [3, 4].

Under the new mandate, platforms are required to maintain a legal representative within Brazil [3]. They must also establish permanent reporting channels for users, and implement specific mechanisms to prevent the spread of criminal content [3].

There are conflicting reports regarding the deadline for compliance. Some sources indicate an immediate deadline of Monday, June 20, 2026 [1]. Other reports state that companies have 60 days from the publication of the STF judgment to adapt their systems to the new rules [2].

The move follows a broader effort by the Brazilian judiciary to increase the responsibility of social media firms regarding the legality of hosted content [4]. The government said these measures are necessary to ensure platforms are more accountable under the law [4].

“Digital platforms must now follow new oversight and accountability rules to combat criminal content.”

This regulatory shift marks a transition from a permissive 'notice-and-takedown' framework to a more proactive liability model. By curtailing the protections of the Marco Civil da Internet, Brazil is aligning its digital governance with a trend of increasing state oversight of algorithmic moderation, potentially forcing global platforms to localize their legal and operational structures to avoid sanctions.