BLOQUEIOS.INFO<\/b> is a platform that gathers information about judicial proceedings that have led, could have led or can lead to the suspension of Internet applications (web pages or applications) in Brazil. App blocking is a serious – not to say drastic – measure, and needs to be monitored carefully. In addition to often being tied to complex legal standoffs, blocks may negatively impact human rights, the Internet infrastructure, and the economy.<\/span><\/p>\n Internet application blocking orders often arise from true legal standoffs. They originate from disputes involving complex discussions on the extension of national jurisdiction over digital services, foreign-based companies\u2019 compliance with national judgments, limitations on the freedom of expression for the protection of other rights, the scope of protection of economic freedom and innovation, and the use of technologies such as encryption.<\/span><\/p>\n Due to the size they have reached and to the legal disagreements about their legality, blockages have become a constitutional issue in Brazil: two constitutional complaints brought before the Federal Supreme Court – a claim of non-compliance with a fundamental precept (ADPF 403) and a direct action of unconstitutionality (ADI 5527) – have challenged the constitutionality of such measures. At stake are constitutional provisions, such as freedom of communication (Article 5, IX, of the Federal Constitution), and legal provisions, such as those laid down by the Civil Rights Framework for the Internet (Law No. 12.965\/14).<\/span><\/p>\n Blocks on Internet applications are deeply concerning when analyzed from a human rights perspective. That is because the Internet user loses full control over his or her Internet experience, as the suspensions interfere with their freedom to seek, receive and impart ideas and information. In other words, app blocking compromises the free flow of data in a country or region and potentially the access of millions of people to information and services. In the recent occasions in which WhatsApp was blocked in Brazil, for example, more than 100 million people were affected, which constitutes about 50% of Brazil\u2019s population and 10% of users of the app in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n Blockages operate in the infrastructure layer, seeking to completely restrict access to certain applications, services and content. By doing so, they contradict a core principle of Internet design: end-to-end neutrality, which refers to the idea that the Internet is fundamentally a “network where origin and destination talk without interference” and that “protocols are neutral in relation to the contents of packages” that traffic on the net, as Demi Getschko explains. When app blocking is state-mandated, such as by judicial authorities, intermediaries who make up the network, such as Internet connection providers (NET, VIVO, Oi, TIM, etc.), are coerced to act against this principle.<\/span><\/p>\n Blocks on Internet applications directly impact the economy of a country. They affect not only the targeted company\u2019s business, but all users, people and companies, that use and depend on the application in their professional activity. A Brookings Institution study pointed out that the bans on WhatsApp cost US$ 116 million to Brazil’s GDP, for example. These measures also undermine investors trust to undertake and support the development of innovation in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 provide a <\/span>database of original case documents<\/b> to serve as research source and to <\/span>promote a qualified and informed discussion<\/b> on app blocking in Brazil;<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 analyze<\/b> past cases that led or could have led to block on Internet applications and <\/span>monitor <\/b>ongoing cases that can lead to similar decisions, in order to <\/span>inform<\/b> the public about what is at stake;<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 allow the <\/span>engagement of the international community<\/b> in the debates on app blocking in Brazil, with the provision of the main materials in English.<\/span><\/p>\n BLOQUEIOS.INFO is composed \u00a0by publicly known Brazilian judicial cases that led to block orders for Internet applications.<\/span><\/p>\n This means that blocking cases were and are considered those in which Brazilian authorities, like judges, determined that intermediaries technically restrict the availability of access to contents, informations and services offered by Internet applications, such as websites and apps. In this first stage, we considered as \u201cintermediaries\u201d the Internet connection providers and virtual app stores providers.<\/span><\/p>\n Due to this framing, it is not a part of the scope of the BLOQUEIOS.INFO projecto to study cases of removal of specific content from online pages, in which is ordered to application providers to remove determined contents posted on their pages. In the moment, cases of \u201cdomain name apprehension\u201d were also not included, in which authorities, through the acting of domain registers, \u201ckidnap\u201d websites and then, also leads to their inability of access. The intention of this project is to expand it to this area.<\/span><\/p>\n We welcome comments that have suggestions and recommendations for the adding of materials to the platform and\/or point out potential mistakes and the need to review our analysis. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n InternetLab<\/b><\/a> is an independent research center that aims to foster academic debate around issues involving law and technology, especially internet policy. Our goal is to conduct interdisciplinary impactful research and promote dialogue among academics, professionals and policymakers. We follow an entrepreneurial nonprofit model, which embraces our pursuit of producing scholarly research in the manner and spirit of an academic think tank.<\/span><\/p>\n InternetLab\u2019s team involved in this project is: <\/span>Dennys Antonialli<\/b><\/a> (Executive Director; dennys@internetlab.org.br), <\/span>Francisco Brito Cruz<\/b><\/a> (Director; francisco@internetlab.org.br), <\/span>Jacqueline Abreu<\/b><\/a> (Project Lead; jacqueline@internetlab.org.br), <\/span>Paula P\u00e9cora de Barros<\/b><\/a> (Research Intern; paula.pecora@internetlab.org.br), <\/span>Felipe Mansur<\/b><\/a> (Research Intern; felipe.mansur@internetlab.org.br) e <\/span>Ana Luiza Araujo<\/b><\/a> (Translation Intern; analuiza.araujo@internetlab.org.br).<\/span><\/p>\nLegal standoffs<\/b><\/h3>\n
Impacts on Human Rights<\/h3>\n
Impacts on infrastructure<\/b><\/h3>\n
Impacts on the economy<\/b><\/h3>\n
What are our goals with <\/span>BLOQUEIOS.INFO<\/b>?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Methodology<\/b><\/h3>\n
Team<\/b><\/h3>\n
Funding<\/b><\/h3>\n