Google, Facebook and MercadoLivre support internet bill

Google (Nasdaq: GOOG), Facebook (Nasdaq: FB) and MercadoLivre have written an open letter expressing their support for the internet civil bill currently being considered by the Brazilian congress. The bill was supposed to be voted on this week, but voting was postponed due to disagreement over parts of the measure, especially regarding the net neutrality concept. According to the internet companies, the "Marco Civil da Internet" bill is the outcome of a "rich debate" involving users, companies and providers and society as a whole. They believe the project is "modern," with "principles globally recognized as a solid framework to foster a free and balanced internet," focused on assuring innovation, freedom of expression and fundamental rights. In the letter, the companies highlighted what they believe are the most important aspects of the bill: that the bill ensures the users' rights, in particular regarding the inviolability and confidentiality of their data; the non-suspension of the internet connection, except if from late payments; and the maintenance of the quality of the internet levels contracted. They also emphasized that the bill ensures that contracts provide users with clear and comprehensive information regarding the services. The companies further said that the bill establishes that internet platform providers are not responsible for the content posted by users, "a regulatory model that is also used all over the world, especially in the US and Europe." For the internet companies, the bill, if approved, would facilitate the investigation and punishment of crimes committed through the internet in accordance with due legal process, "without losing sight of the ultimate goal: to establish a balanced system of data preservation and records that enable the obtaining of evidence without offense to privacy and freedom of expression." The letter is signed by Google Brasil president Fabio Coelho, Facebook VP for Latin America, Alexandre Hohagen, and MercadoLivre COO Stelleo Tolda.