Brazil and Google establish a partnership in support of institutions that research online racism

Members of Brazil’s Ministry of Racial Equality met on Thursday (6) with a team from Google. The Minister of Racial Equality Anielle Franco addressed the need for moderation and exclusion of racist content from digital environments; online disinformation and hate speech; and digital platforms’ responsibility in the perpetuation of this kind of content. She also asked about moderation policies and disinformation protocols on a global scale.

It is crucial that the government and the private sector work together to combat racism and hate speech. We’re also going to meet with other online platforms
ANIELLE FRANCO
Minister of Racial Equality

The meeting was attended by Google representatives for Emerging Markets; by VP and Manager of Public Policy and Government Relations Doron Avni and Ana Clara Segura de Azevedo, respectively; and by Google Brasil Director and Manager of Public Policy and Government Relations, Marcelo Lacerda and Juliana Moura Bueno, as well as Communications Manager Rafael Querrer.

INVESTMENTS – Google announced that – in partnership with the Brazilian government – it will invest BRL 1 million in a project to support institutions and black programmers who research online racism and hate speech. A working group to moderate racist content on company platforms such as YouTube was also established. Google presented other direct measures to combat racism, such as support for research and businesses that are led by black people, for example.

"It is crucial that the government and the private sector work together to combat racism and hate speech. Presently, the digital environment is where this type of content proliferates the most – and big tech companies are responsible for this moderation. We’ve already met with Meta, and now with Google. We’re going to meet with other online platforms too,” said Minister Anielle Franco.