Brazil’s president urged stronger global regulation of technology, while criticizing tariffs, betting platforms and pressure over Pix.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva again called for the regulation of Big Tech and Artificial Intelligence at the global level during the opening of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Lula emphasized that powerful companies have been creating challenges for families worldwide through algorithms.
“A handful of techno-oligarchs wants to resurrect a version of digital neoliberalism with neither rules nor transparency,”
he said on Tuesday morning.
In Brazil’s assessment, it is necessary to establish clear rules for the use of technology. Lula mentioned the approval of the country’s law aimed at protecting minors in digital environments, the Digital Statute for Children and Adolescents, or ECA Digital, which completed one year in force this September.
Lula even paraphrased Pope Leo XVII, saying that “decisions about technology should never be separated from conscience and responsibility.”
Trade, Pix
Though he did not specifically mention the US in his remarks, Lula said that tariffs are damaging multilateralism.
“The pillars of multilateralism are being eroded. The World Trade Organization is on life support. Governments are capitulating to those who use tariffs as instruments of coercion and blackmail. The consequences are dire.”
Brazil’s head of state also targeted betting platforms, a type of business that has been driving debt among Brazilian families, especially the most vulnerable ones.
“The multibillion-dollar sports betting industry turns addiction into profit. Its explosive growth is pushing millions of families into debt and tearing households apart. Brazil will not tolerate this business model,”
he said.
Lula came to the defense of Pix, the Brazilian instant payment system whose growing use has drawn criticism from President Donald Trump, prompting an investigation into alleged anticompetitive concerns.
“We will not bow to pressure from multinational corporations that want to privatize our Pix.”
He also addressed the issue of rare earths, of which Brazil holds the world’s second-largest reserves. He said the country’s natural wealth belongs to the Brazilian people and that foreign companies wishing to access those resources will have to provide something aimed at strengthening the country in exchange.
Without mentioning Trump, Lula defended Brazil’s sovereignty and said the country “does not belong in anyone’s backyard.” The remark was directed at what Lula described as interference — likely referring to the US, though he did not specifically say so — in the campaign for Brazil’s upcoming presidential election in October.
Source: MLex
