Regulation of digital platforms: freedom of expression or exercise of power?
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Keywords

content moderation
application providers
Internet Civil Rights Framework

How to Cite

Pereira, L. D. A., Lima, M. A. P., & Gangana, M. C. V. H. D. do V. (2025). Regulation of digital platforms: freedom of expression or exercise of power?. Brazilian Journal of Law, Technology and Innovation, 3(2), 42–71. https://doi.org/10.59224/bjlti.v3i2.42-71

Abstract

In a scenario in which digital platforms, understood in this paper as internet application providers, especially from the point of view of social networks, have gone beyond social interaction and reached business environments, issues related to the moderation of content posted by their users have taken on new contours. In the Brazilian legal system, the matter has been regulated by the Marco Civil da Internet (Civil Rights Framework for the Internet) and is defended on the basis of freedom of expression, whose background is constitutional. However, the discussion surrounding the constitutionality of article 19 of the Marco Civil has reached the Supreme Court, signaling the possibility of extending the responsibility of application providers for the content posted by users. The debate deserves reflection, though, because, as will be shown, the exercise of power by digital platforms can go beyond the discourse of guaranteeing individual freedoms.

https://doi.org/10.59224/bjlti.v3i2.42-71
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Copyright (c) 2025 Laurence Duarte Araújo Pereira, Maelle Antunes Pereira Lima, Maria Cláudia Viana Hissa Dias do Vale Gangana