In recent years, social media has become a powerful communication and social interaction tool. However, this same technology has been used to spread hate speech and fuel political extremism. In Brazil, this phenomenon caused a significant impact on the democratic scene and has been the subject of academic studies and political debates.
Social media plays a central role in amplifying extremist discourse due to its algorithmic structure. According to activist Eli Pariser, algorithms create “filter bubbles” that isolate users in information environments aligned with their beliefs, reducing exposure to divergent opinions:
Like a lens, the filter bubble transforms the way we experience the world, controlling what we see and what we don’t. It interferes with the interaction between our mental processes and the external environment. In some ways, it acts as a magnifying glass, expanding our view of a specific niche of knowledge. However, at the same time, personalized filters limit the content to which we are exposed and, consequently, affect the way we think and learn. They can disrupt the delicate cognitive balance that enables us to make good decisions and generate new ideas. Moreover, since creativity also results from dynamic interaction between mind and environment, filter bubbles can hinder innovation.1
This process facilitates the dissemination of extremist narratives by reinforcing prejudices and promoting polarization, often accompanied by misinformation. In Brazil, platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp have been identified as catalysts for radicalization, especially during polarized political events, such as the 2018 and 2022 elections. However, one must be careful when blaming the platform alone for the problems that occur in the cyber world. It is imperative to not lose sight of the fact that there is a human being in front of the screen aiming to convince others.
Disinformation is crucial to the growth of political extremism on social media. Disinformation is designed to deceive and manipulate, fueling conspiracy theories and delegitimizing democratic institutions.2 In Brazil, fake news campaigns often exploit social fears and prejudices, shaping perceptions and behaviors. Studies show how these campaigns can radicalize individuals, leading them to engage in hate speech and anti-democratic actions, with effects that are easily seen today.
“When it comes to hate crimes, often linked to extremism, the Federal Police plays a fundamental role in tracking and identifying perpetrators, especially on digital platforms.”
Another factor that intensifies political extremism is the use of social media as a space for mobilization and coordination. For Spanish sociologist Manuel Castells, the internet enables the formation of horizontal networks that can be used for both legitimate social movements and extremist activities.3 In Brazil, this was evident in episodes such as the invasion of the National Congress in 2023, where digital platforms were used to organize violent actions. The case in question had notable investigative action by the Federal Police. The ability of the perpetrators to mobilize quickly and in a decentralized manner is one of the most challenging aspects for authorities.
It is worth noting that the psychological impact of social media also contributes to extremism. In studies by Harvard Professor Cass Sunstein, social media’s “echo chambers” amplify emotions such as anger and fear, making individuals more susceptible to radical speech.4 In Brazil, repeated consumption of polarizing content on social media has been associated with increased intolerance and a willingness to engage in extremist actions. This effect is exacerbated by digital influencers who promote polarized speech and conspiracy theories.
The response to political extremism on social media in Brazil has involved government and civil society efforts. The Federal Police, for example, has intensified the monitoring of digital platforms to identify and combat extremist activities, based on Law No. 13.260/2016 (Anti-Terrorism Law), which regulates terrorism.5 Even so, the effectiveness of these actions is limited by technical and legal challenges, such as online anonymity and end-to-end encryption in apps like Telegram and WhatsApp, often combined with the lack of cooperation from these messaging platforms in providing information about those under investigation, even after a court decision.
“Educational initiatives in Brazil, such as awareness-raising projects on fake news, have shown promising results but they still lack reach and robust institutional support.”
By current legislation, the tackling of extremism and hate crimes in Brazil gives the Federal Police a strategic and highly relevant role on the national scene. The Hate Crimes Law (Law No. 7.716/1989), which defines crimes of discrimination or prejudice based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, or national origin, and the aforementioned Anti-Terrorism Law provide the necessary legal framework for repressive and preventive actions against extremist acts.6 These crimes, often linked to ideologies that promote intolerance and hatred, constitute threats to public order and national security, which justifies the jurisdiction of the Federal Police, especially when they involve federal interests or actions of a transnational nature.
The legislation that regulates terrorism in Brazil establishes that acts committed to intimidate the population, coerce authorities, or cause widespread panic through violence or serious threats are crimes of terrorism. The Federal Police, as the criminal investigation body of the union, is responsible for investigating these crimes, especially when they are related to organized groups, international networks, or digital media that transcend state and national borders. It is important to note that, in this context, the Federal Police’s actions go beyond repression: they extend to intelligence and monitoring activities that may constitute an imminent threat.
When it comes to hate crimes, often linked to extremism, the Federal Police plays a fundamental role in tracking and identifying perpetrators, especially on digital platforms. The internet has been widely used to disseminate extremist ideologies, incite violence, and hate speech, such as advocacy of Nazism and racism. Police action in this area is based not only on hate crimes legislation but also on the Internet Civil Rights Framework, which regulates the use of the internet in Brazil and provides tools to identify and hold offenders accountable.7 In this role, the Federal Police uses advanced technologies and partnerships with international agencies to track extremist activities and dismantle criminal networks.
The Cybercrime Combat Directorate—–specifically the General Coordination for Combating Cybercrime—is responsible for directing and coordinating the repression of crimes committed in a virtual environment that involves discrimination or prejudice based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation, in addition to misogynistic content, within the authorities attributed to the Federal Police.8
In the case of hate crimes committed outside the cyber environment, the incidence rate of which has been decreasing, the responsibility falls to the Service for the Repression of Hate Crimes, Torture and Other Violations against Human Rights. This service operates under the structure of the Directorate for Investigation and Combating Organized Crime and Corruption.
The Federal Police also cooperates with the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office and other public security agencies, promoting an integrated approach to combating extremism. This coordination allows for the exchange of information and the development of more effective strategies to prevent and suppress acts that undermine the democratic order and human rights. Combating extremism also requires action that combines repression with educational and preventive actions, seeking to dismantle the ideological and structural roots that fuel hatred and intolerance. In this way, the Federal Police fulfills its constitutional role of ensuring public safety and defending the democratic rule of law.
Beyond repression, digital education is a crucial strategy to confront extremism. According to Professor Henry Jenkins and his MIT colleagues, media literacy is essential to empower the public to identify and resist disinformation.9 Educational initiatives in Brazil, such as awareness-raising projects on fake news, have shown promising results but they still lack reach and robust institutional support. Collaboration between governments, digital platforms, and civil society is essential to scale up these efforts.
In conclusion, social media plays a dual role in Brazil: while it democratizes access to information, it also fosters political radicalization. Confronting this phenomenon requires a multifaceted approach that combines monitoring, enforcement, and digital education. Only through coordinated actions will it be possible to mitigate the negative impacts of social media and preserve the health of Brazilian democracy. Nevertheless, prevention efforts must not lose sight of the fact that freedom of expression must be maintained, especially because the free exercise of thought remains one of the greatest achievements of this century. d
Notes:
1Eli Pariser, The Filter Bubble: What the Internet Is Hiding from You (New York: Penguin Press, 2011), 156.
2Claire Wardle and Hossein Derakhshan, Information Disorder: Toward an Interdisciplinary Framework for Research and Policymaking (Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 2017), 10.
3Manuel Castells, Networks of Outrage and Hope: Social Movements in the Internet Age (Chichester, UK: Wiley, 2012), 67.
4Cass R. Sunstein, “Is Social Media Good or Bad for Democracy?,” Meta, January 22, 2018.
5Brazil, Law No. 13.260 of March 16, 2016, regulating terrorism and related investigative and procedural provisions.
6Brazil, Law No. 7.716 of January 5, 1989, defining crimes resulting from racial or color prejudice.
7Brazil, Law no. 12.965 of April 23, 2014, establishing principles, guarantees, rights, and duties for the use of the internet in Brazil.
8Brazil, Normative Instruction DG/PF no. 270 of December 15, 2023, establishing the specific competences of central and decentralized units of the Federal Police and the duties of their directors, Federal Public Service.
9Henry Jenkins et al., Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century (MacArthur Foundation, 2009).
Please cite as
Letícia Prado, “The Central Role of Social Media in Fueling Terrorism: Confronting the Spread of Political Extremism in Brazil,” Police Chief Online, March 18, 2026.
