Brendan Carr wants to meet with Anatel chief

Recently, Brendan Carr, Commissioner of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), sent a letter to the president of Anatel, Carlos Manuel Baigorri, expressing his concern about the decision of Minister Alexandre de Moraes to suspend the social network X in Brazil.

The letter, sent on September 5, also criticizes the punitive measures against Starlink, a company linked to Elon Musk, highlighting possible repercussions for the business environment between Brazil and the United States.

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Commissioner criticizes X ban

Minister Alexandre de Moraes’ decision to suspend the social network X (formerly Twitter) in Brazil caused controversy both in the country and internationally.

In the letter, Carr said he felt “compelled” to comment on what he considered a “growing set of apparently illegal and partisan actions” taken by Anatel against companies with ties to the United States. He sees these actions as a threat to confidence in the Brazilian regulatory market, which could drive away American investors.

Carr points out that the ban on X in Brazil, in his view, violates the Brazilian Constitution, which protects freedom of expression, and expresses concern that censorship may be being applied improperly. He points out that, even in the midst of the court ruling, it is important for regulatory agencies such as the FCC and Anatel to position themselves against any move that could restrict freedom of expression.

Impact on trade relations and foreign investment

The commissioner stressed that recent measures “publicly supported by the Lula government” put at risk the predictability and stability of the regulated market in Brazil. According to Carr, American business leaders are increasingly concerned that Brazil could become an “unviable investment market” due to the lack of regulatory certainty.

A central point of the letter was criticism of the threat of canceling Starlink’s licenses to operate in Brazil. The company, also linked to Elon Musk, had its assets frozen after Minister Moraes’ decision, even though it had not committed any direct violations. Carr emphasized that Starlink is a separate company, with different shareholders, and should not be penalized for actions related to social network X.

Brendan Carr recognizes Brazilian sovereignty

While he has criticized the Brazilian government’s actions, Carr acknowledges the country’s sovereignty and right to establish its own laws. He argues that while Moraes’ actions may resemble crackdowns on free speech seen elsewhere in the world, his main concern is not the Brazilian legislation itself, but rather the economic and diplomatic consequences of such actions.

The FCC commissioner also stressed that communications regulators must resist moves toward censorship, arguing that freedom of expression is a fundamental principle in democracies. Despite this, Carr made it clear that he was not arguing that the Brazilian government’s decisions violate American laws, but rather that they could undermine the relationship of trust between the two nations.

Proposal for dialogue and search for a solution

In an attempt to resolve tensions, Brendan Carr proposed a meeting with Carlos Manuel Baigorri to discuss the concerns raised. The commissioner offered to travel to Brazil, if necessary, to ensure an open dialogue about the actions taken against X and Starlink. For him, the recent measures are not in line with the principles of “reciprocity, rule of law and independence” that have guided the relationship between the FCC and Anatel over the years.

Carr concludes the letter by warning of the impact these actions could have on future trade and regulatory relations between Brazil and the United States if the issues are not resolved.

Source: CNN