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Brazilian Study Shows Women Bear Brunt of Online Disinformation, Majority Support Regulation
A new study has revealed that Brazilian women are disproportionately targeted by disinformation campaigns on social media, with a large majority of Brazilians now supporting government regulation of digital platforms. The findings were presented at a G20 side event focused on information integrity in São Paulo this week.
The research, titled “She Persisted Analysis of Gendered Disinformation Trends in Brasil,” surveyed 1,050 Brazilian voters between March 14-26, 2024. A striking 77% of respondents expressed approval for the Fake News Bill (Projeto de Lei das Fake News) currently under consideration in Brazil’s National Congress.
“The data clearly shows a growing public demand for meaningful regulation of digital platforms,” said a spokesperson presenting the findings at the G20 Digital Economy Working Group event. “This is especially true when it comes to protecting women online.”
The study revealed an overwhelming 78% of Brazilians believe it’s important to establish rules that counter disinformation targeting women online, with most feeling this responsibility falls to the government. Meanwhile, 65% of respondents acknowledged that social media companies actually benefit from the spread of false information, and the same percentage believed these platforms intensify political polarization in Brazilian society.
Women in positions of power face particularly harsh treatment online, according to the qualitative portion of the study. By analyzing social media content from 2019 to 2024, researchers found that women in prominent political and media positions were frequent targets of gendered disinformation campaigns designed to undermine their credibility and discourage their participation in public discourse.
The platform-specific breakdown revealed X/Twitter (formerly Twitter) as the most hostile environment, with approximately 61% of content containing attacks against women. YouTube followed at 59%, while Facebook showed attacks in 53.4% of analyzed content.
This data emerges as Brazil grapples with increasing online polarization and amid global conversations about the responsibility of technology platforms to moderate harmful content. Brazil’s Fake News Bill aims to establish a regulatory framework to combat the spread of false information online, including provisions that would hold platforms more accountable.
Digital rights experts point out that the impact of online disinformation extends beyond individual harm. “What we’re seeing is a systematic attempt to push women out of the public sphere through coordinated disinformation campaigns,” explained Maria Santos, a digital rights advocate not affiliated with the study. “This has serious implications for democratic participation and representation.”
The Lake Research Partners findings also highlight a significant public relations challenge for social media companies operating in Brazil. With nearly two-thirds of respondents believing these platforms profit from misinformation, companies like Meta, Google, and X face growing skepticism about their commitment to creating healthy online environments.
Brazil’s position as host of G20 discussions on digital economy issues has placed it at the center of global conversations about platform regulation. The country’s experiences with gendered disinformation could inform international approaches to creating safer online spaces.
The briefing emphasized the necessity for targeted measures to protect vulnerable social media users, particularly women, children, and adolescents. The researchers noted that the strong public support for federal government intervention reflects a broader desire for a more equitable digital landscape.
As Brazil continues to debate the Fake News Bill and other regulatory approaches, this research suggests that addressing gendered disinformation will be central to any effective policy framework. With the G20 Digital Economy Working Group bringing international attention to these issues, Brazil’s approach could influence global standards for platform accountability and online safety in the years ahead.
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10 Comments
I’m curious to learn more about the specific tactics and sources of disinformation campaigns targeting women in Brazil. Understanding the dynamics could inform more effective countermeasures.
That’s a good point. Deeper analysis of the disinformation trends and their impacts would be helpful in crafting appropriate regulatory responses.
The finding that 78% of Brazilians believe it’s important to counter disinformation targeting women is quite significant. It shows a clear public mandate for action on this front.
Absolutely. The government should take this public sentiment seriously and work to implement policies that safeguard vulnerable groups online.
The high level of public support for the Fake News Bill is encouraging. Effective regulation of digital platforms is critical for addressing online disinformation, especially when it comes to protecting marginalized groups.
I agree. Regulation alone won’t solve the problem, but it’s an important first step in the right direction. Enforcement and ongoing monitoring will be key.
This research highlights a troubling pattern of women being disproportionately targeted by disinformation campaigns. It’s good to see the issue gaining attention and public momentum for action.
Yes, the findings are concerning but it’s heartening to see the public recognizing the need for a robust response. Policymakers should take heed and prioritize this issue.
This is an important issue that deserves attention. Disinformation can have serious consequences, especially for marginalized groups like women. It’s encouraging to see public support for regulation in Brazil to address this problem.
You’re right, protecting women from online harassment and disinformation should be a priority. Effective regulation could make a real difference.