Brazil’s Collective Defense Institute is seeking 3 billion reais ($525 million) in damages from TikTok, Kwai, and Meta’s Brazilian units, claiming the digital platforms lack adequate measures to prevent overuse by minors, Reuters news report said.
The law suit is happening at a time when Brazil’s social media market is booming, standing as the largest in Latin America and ranking fifth globally. Brazil has 170 million active social media users, representing 84 percent of the total population. This trend is expected to continue with projections suggesting the number of social media users will exceed 190 million by 2028.
Among the most popular platforms, Google-owned YouTube leads with 144 million users, followed by Meta-owned Instagram with 134.6 million, and Facebook with 111.3 million users. These social media platforms dominate Brazil’s digital landscape, reflecting the country’s engagement in online content consumption and social interaction.
Millions of minors are using social media because they have access to cost-effective smartphones and mobile Internet plans in Brazil.
The size of the smartphone market in Brazil is expected to reach $16.3 billion in 2024, according to estimates. Brazil’s smartphone market is projected to grow annually by 0.49 percent from 2024 to 2029. The smartphone market is expected to reach 42.3 million units by 2029.
Opensignal report released in August 2023 said 5G smartphone users in Brazil’s state capitals experience 5G download speeds exceeding 250Mbps. Vivo, TIM and Claro are the top mobile network operators in Brazil.
Safety concerns
Social media safety for children has become a key issue in Brazil, especially after a dispute between X owner Elon Musk and a Brazilian Supreme Court justice led to fines for X.
The lawsuits call for stronger data protection measures, clearer warnings about risks to mental health, and algorithm adjustments to make social media use safer for children and teens.
Lawyer Lillian Salgado emphasized the need for algorithm changes, enhanced user data processing protections for minors, and greater supervision of teen accounts, akin to standards in developed countries.
Meta highlighted its efforts to create safer, age-appropriate experiences for young users and announced a new “Teen Account” on Instagram, expected soon in Brazil.
TikTok stated it had not been notified of the case.
Kwai affirmed that user safety, particularly for minors, is a core priority.
These cases underline Brazil’s growing focus on social media’s impact on youth and the push for protective digital policies.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
