When Brazil Met Facebook … in the British Parliament

Brazilian Congressman Alessandro Molon, from Rio de Janeiro, represented Brazil in the session of the International Grand Committee on Disinformation and “Fake News” at the House of Commons in London. He is one of the 24 representatives from nine international parliaments (UK, Ireland, Singapore, Belgium, Latvia, France, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina) who are holding a hearing with Facebook vice-president Richard Allan.

It is the inaugural event of the “Grand Committee on Disinformation,” and it is organized by Damian Collins, a British lawmaker who chairs the Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Committee, a parliamentary committee investigating disinformation and the use of people’s data.

The representatives are questioning Mr. Allan, a top Facebook executive, over the spread of misinformation and mishandling of users’ data. CEO Mark Zuckerberg was invited but refused to attend. A chair was left empty with Zuckerberg’s name printed on a place card in front of it at the hearing table. Mr. Collins said he was “deeply disappointed by Zuckerberg’s decision to ignore summons from so many nations.”