Ronaldo Caiado Calls for Social Media and AI Regulation in Brazil

Ronaldo Caiado, a pre-candidate for President of Brazil (PSD), advocated for the creation of rules and oversight for social-media platforms and big-tech companies.

This stance places the candidate at the center of a critical debate over digital governance in Brazil. As the 2026 election cycle progresses, the balance between protecting democratic discourse and fostering technological innovation remains a primary concern for voters and policymakers.

Speaking Wednesday, July 29 ^[1], during an event promoted by the Brazilian Association of Radio and Television (Abert) in Brasília, Caiado discussed the necessity of fiscalização, or oversight, for digital platforms. He said that while regulation is necessary to prevent the misuse of artificial intelligence and social-media tools, the legal framework must be carefully constructed to avoid stifling economic growth ^[1], ^[2].

Caiado emphasized that the legal approach to AI should not be restrictive to the point of hindering the country's progress. "Não pode ser retrograda; a lei para IA tem que permitir o desenvolvimento do país," he said ^[2].

Beyond the general framework of development, the pre-candidate stressed the importance of accountability. He said that the law should specifically target those who weaponize these technologies for harmful purposes. "Tem que punir quem usa errado," he said ^[2].

This focus on punitive measures for misuse suggests a strategy of targeted enforcement rather than broad censorship. By distinguishing between the technology's development and its application, Caiado aims to appeal to both the tech sector and those concerned about digital misinformation.

Earlier this year, Caiado focused on the structure of his political ticket. He said on June 29 that he intended to reveal the name of the vice-president for his slate on July 1 ^[3].