Minister of Communications defends taxing big techs to promote digital inclusion

The Minister of Communications, Juscelino Filho, defended the taxation of big techs to contribute to the expansion of connectivity in Brazil. The minister commented on the topic last Wednesday (10), during the event Communications Technology: Digital inclusion and big techs, held in Brasília.

Conceptually, big tech is the term used to refer to the largest technology companies in the world. These companies share some characteristics: market dominance, strong appeal for innovation and support for businesses increasingly focused on the use of data. Among the most famous are Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and Meta (Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp).

In the minister’s view, these companies are fundamental in shaping the digital future, and for this reason they could contribute to the financing of public policies that assist in projects that aim to bring the internet to the portion of the population that does not yet have access to digital services.

“We consider it essential that these companies contribute fairly to the financing of digital inclusion policies in our country, especially for the most remote corners and bringing the promise of a significant internet to the most needy population,” said the minister.

Minister cites European Union and the US as examples

Juscelino Filho also cited the European Union, which recognizes that contributions from platforms and large digital service providers to a specific digital inclusion fund is a real option. He also mentioned that in the United States, the association of telecommunications operators petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to have big techs also contribute to the country’s universalization fund, to help finance the expansion of user access to broadband networks.