Elain Brown Tech 03.18.2022 22:Mar PM EDT

Brazilian Court Turns to Apple, Google to Block Uncooperative Telegram

Telegram is caught in between political tensions in Brazil. The company has been accused of allowing political accounts to exist despite the rampant spreading of misinformation.

The Brazilian Supreme Court also tasked the cooperation of Apple and Google with the enforcement of a ruling they recently released.

Telegram Suspension in Brazil

Telegram received an order of suspension from the Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Friday, March 17. This suspension comes after the messaging app refuses to fully cooperate with the Brazilian government for not adhering to a previous judicial order in freezing accounts spreading disinformation.

The sealed order handed today demands that Telegram must be officially suspended by Brazil's telecommunications agency Anatel until it complies with local orders and pays a series of fines.

In addition to the misinformation spreading in Telegram, Brazil's Supreme Court ruling also stated that Telegram's suspension is also due to the noncompliance of the app company in accordance with the country's law.

Telegram in this situation is caught in the battle between both these government authorities. The messaging app has been criticized for being a safe haven for political public figures to spread misinformation and hate speech.

Telegram Caught in Political Tension

Justice Alexandre de Moraes' decision is rooted in the political turmoil in the country's hindrance towards freedom of speech polarizing Brazil.

Telegram has already received multiple requests for cooperation from Brazil, however, due to noncompliance, the Brazilian government has threatened suspension early this year.

Brazil's threat of suspension was based on claims that the company had failed to respond to requests for assistance in combating erroneous election information.

Telegram has also failed to prevent rampant political disinformation and has become the communications hub for President Jair Bolsonaro's supporters and allies

Meta's messaging app WhatsApp and Twitter have both adhered to the country's Supreme Court ruling in suspending accounts that spread fake news.

Furthermore, according to reports, the order gives Apple, Google, and local phone carriers five days to block Telegram, while Anatel has 24 hours to put an official halt to the messaging app's operations. However, Apple and Telegram did not immediately respond to requests for information regarding this news.

As reported by The Verge, a spokesperson from Google confirmed the received ruling from the Brazilian government officials.

Google stated that it "received a Supreme Court order regarding the messaging app Telegram in Brazil," but as the case is sealed, it "will not be commenting."

Brazil's President Bolsonaro is under investigation from their Supreme Court for allegedly leaking police documents and spreading misinformation about linking AIDS to the COVID-19 vaccine in their country.

Political figures choose to do so in Telegram to avoid being banned and suspended on platforms like Twitter and Facebook which have more rigid guidelines with political fake news.

Telegram also experienced suspension from Russia previously. Telegram was prohibited in Russia for refusing to share encryption keys in anti-terrorist investigations, but that ban was lifted in 2020 after public outcry.

The Brazilian legal system has previously ordered the blocking of WhatsApp, a rival to Telegram's service, however, the bans have proven to be only temporary in nature.

According to Reuters, Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has apologized to the Brazilian authorities for the company's negligence. Telegram legally asked the Supreme Court to delay the implementation of the ruling for several days as it gives them more time to work on the requirements for compliance.