Brazilian Senate CPI Examines Meta's Response to Online Crime on Platforms
Brazil's Senate Commission investigating organized crime examined Meta's handling of fraud and online crime on its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Senators questioned whether the company profits from fraudulent advertising, lacks transparency on crime metrics in Brazil, and has deliberately hampered law enforcement through encryption.
What happened
During a hearing before Brazil's Senate Commission of Inquiry into Organized Crime (CPI do Crime Organizado) on 24 February 2026, senators questioned Meta executives about the company's response to online fraud and crime on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Rapporteur Alessandro Vieira criticized Meta for lacking specific metrics on reports, account removals, and fraud cases in Brazil, despite Brazil being one of the company's largest markets. He cited public security data indicating 56 million Brazilians fell victim to online scams in the previous 12 months, with losses exceeding R$ 50 billion.
Meta's Latin America Economic Policy Director Yana Dumaresq stated the company invests in automation and proactive detection, noting over 90% of removals in 2024 occurred before user reports through continuous monitoring systems using AI and machine learning.
Reported impact
Senators alleged Meta's business model transfers responsibility to users while profiting from fraudulent advertising. Vieira referenced a Reuters report claiming 10% of Meta's revenue came from false advertisements, and argued the company has little incentive to act without judicial proceedings against victims.
Concerns were raised about WhatsApp Business accounts used by criminals without effective verification tools, and about Meta Verified's paid verification seal creating confusion about account authenticity.
Index analysis
Vieira alleged Meta deliberately obstructed law enforcement by implementing end-to-end encryption despite internal knowledge that encryption would benefit criminal activity.
Dumaresq rejected accusations of omission, stating Meta collaborates with authorities and retains data under Brazil's Internet Civil Rights Framework (Marco Civil da Internet) and General Personal Data Protection Law (LGPD). She emphasized the complexity of fraud chains and that crimes often materialize off-platform.
Governance controls
Meta stated it uses AI and machine learning to detect and remove fraudulent content before user reports, with more than 90% of removals in 2024 occurring proactively.
The company said it collaborates with authorities and retains data according to Brazil's Marco Civil da Internet and LGPD requirements.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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