Victim Requested Fake News Removal...
Deleted Only After Victim's Death
Calls for Fake News Punishment Grow Louder
A woman in her 20s who was rumored to be dating a famous influencer in Brazil made an extreme choice. This incident has sparked growing calls in Brazil for strong regulatory measures against fake news.
From dating rumors with a famous influencer to spreading manipulated messenger conversations... the victim made an 'extreme choice'
On the 26th (local time), Brazilian local media outlets G1 and OPOVO reported that on the 22nd, a woman named Jessica Canedo (22) in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, made an extreme choice.
Canedo was known as the girlfriend of Inderson Nunes (28), a Brazilian influencer and professional boxer. Afterward, Canedo suddenly gained attention on social media (SNS).
Although not widely known in Korea, Nunes is a famous influencer with 44 million YouTube subscribers and 59.79 million Instagram followers.
Both denied the dating rumors immediately, calling them "groundless." Local media also viewed that there was no special relationship between the two. The dating rumors were complete fake news.
However, some SNS accounts specializing in celebrity news and gossip quickly spread the rumor. Foreign media reported that especially an SNS account named 'Showke' posted manipulated messenger conversation screenshots and photos of Canedo's fingerprints, causing a huge stir.
Canedo posted on her SNS, "I am receiving tremendous attacks due to false information," and requested the posts be deleted, but the request was not accepted for over a week. Afterwards, she passed away.
Growing public calls for 'punishment of fake news'... Brazilian government 'preparing related legislation'
Inderson Nunes (28), a Brazilian influencer and professional boxer. [Image source=Instagram capture]
Canedo's mother is demanding strong punishment for those involved in the incident from the police. She appealed that the malicious comment attacks had a fatal impact on her vulnerable daughter, who suffered from depression and had attempted extreme actions several times.
Nunes also said, "A new 'public massacre' triggered by the negative aspects of social media has occurred," and added, "There is a need to enact laws that can regulate fake news." He also expressed his intention to engage in related activities.
The 'Showke' side belatedly deleted the posts and issued a statement mourning the deceased.
This incident has stirred public opinion in Brazil regarding the punishment of false information dissemination and fake news.
Sidah Goncalves, Minister of Women, expressed anger, saying, "It is unacceptable that lies against Jessica Canedo led to defamatory attacks on that young woman."
Siubiu Almeida, Minister of Human Rights, also emphasized, "The irresponsibility of companies dominating social media influenced the destruction of a family," and added, "Without social media regulation, there can be no discussion about democracy and human dignity."
Earlier, the Brazilian government under Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva, who declared a 'war on fake news,' is pushing a bill that enforces obligations to prevent fake news, holding SNS companies like Google and Meta accountable.
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