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Facebook Fined $33 Million for Failing to Aid Brazil Graft Probe

Facebook Fined $33 Million for Failing to Aid Brazil Graft Probe

By Reuters | Updated: 6 April 2018 12:22 IST

Highlights

Facebook failed to give access to WhatsApp messages of an accused
Exploring "all legal options": Facebook
Accused under investigation for defrauding a local healthcare system

A Brazilian judge has ordered that Facebook pay BRL 111.7 million ($33.4 million or roughly Rs. 217 crores) for failing to cooperate with a corruption investigation, federal prosecutors said on Thursday, prompting Facebook to say it was exploring "all legal options."

The judge fined Facebook for failing to give access in 2016 to WhatsApp messages exchanged by individuals under investigation for defrauding the healthcare system of Brazil's Amazonas state, the prosecutors said in a statement.

In an emailed comment sent to Reuters, Facebook called the fine groundless.

"Facebook cooperates with law enforcement. In this particular case we have disclosed the data required by applicable law," the statement said. "We understand this fine lacks grounds, and are exploring all legal options at our disposal."

According to federal police, a Brazilian judge ordered in April 2016 that Facebook give authorities access to the WhatsApp messages in question.

The fine amounted to BRL 1 million plus interest for every day Facebook did not comply with the order, beginning when it took effect in mid-June 2016, and ending when the corruption investigation was made public that September, police said.

Through the probe known as "Operacao Maus Caminhos," or "Operation Bad Paths," federal police exposed the embezzlement of tens of millions of reais of public funds.

© Thomson Reuters 2018

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