Brazil raises the age for social media and advances in

New rules for the use of social media and AI in Brazil in 2026

Brazil will raise the recommended minimum age for using social media and messaging apps starting in 2026, according to a document that will be sent to civil society organizations and companies in the sector. The recommendation will be 16 years old for social media and 12 years old for messaging apps, while the age for using artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots will drop to 14 years old. This change is aligned with the Digital Child and Adolescent Statute (ECA Digital) and imposes on digital platforms the obligation to verify the age of users and prevent children and adolescents from accessing inappropriate content, affecting giants such as Apple, Google, Meta, and TikTok.

Market impacts and reactions

This measure represents a challenge for app stores and operating systems, which will have to implement rigorous age verification mechanisms. The sector is closely monitoring developments, as the responsibility extends to any digital service provider, including e-commerce and adult content websites. Apple, Google, and Microsoft are among the companies that will have to adapt to the new rules, which seek to increase the protection of young people in the digital environment.

Brazil stands out in agricultural innovation at Agritechnica 2025.

Meanwhile, Brazil is reinforcing its presence at Agritechnica 2025, the largest agricultural technology fair in Europe, held in Hannover, Germany, until November 15th. Nine Brazilian companies are presenting innovative solutions, such as advanced agricultural machinery and selective spraying systems using artificial intelligence, which have already reduced herbicide use by up to 95% on more than 200 farms in Latin America.

Innovation and sustainability

In addition to agriculture, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, highlighted the importance of technology serving the environment, emphasizing that the decarbonization agenda depends on science, innovation and sustainability, especially in the bioeconomy and agriculture.

New AI technologies and ethical challenges

In the field of artificial intelligence, the industry of so-called "deathbots" is growing—AI robots that allow conversation with digital avatars of deceased people, based on digital data such as messages and voice recordings. Although they offer an innovative way to preserve memories, these systems face criticism for sometimes providing emotionally inappropriate responses and for transforming remembrance into a commercial product, with subscriptions and commercial partnerships.

Global and national context

Brazil is also investing in digital sovereignty and AI innovation, with investments of R$35 million for research and development in Piauí, in addition to expanding its international cooperation in technology. The country is advancing in supercomputing and policies to encourage innovation, seeking to consolidate its global technical and climate position.

Photo by Alexandre Debiève on Unsplash