PL 2630 on YouTube: visibility and invisibility algorithm in the discussion on regulation of big techs authored by DX directors João Guilherme, Ana Julia Bernardi e Tatiana Dourado presented by Ana Julia Bernardi at 14th ABCP Meeting that occurred in Salvador.

The article analyzes the daily records of video rankings by the YouTube algorithm between April 25, 2023 and February 6, 2024, which totals 10 months.

For this, it uses as a case study the bill 2630 / 20, which aimed to establish the Brazilian Law on Freedom, Transparency and Responsibility on the Internet, nicknamed the “Fake News Bill”. 

PL 2630 was the subject of marked divergence and dispute over positioning led by the “Bible Bench" from Câmara dos Deputados and by big tech, mainly Google and Meta, but also Amazon, X, Spotify and Tik Tok. 

Therefore, the case of PL 2630 is considered relevant to better understand how algorithms act to prioritize or not the offering of certain content to the detriment of others for users with different usage patterns of these systems.

Based on these analyses, the article points out that the YouTube algorithmic bias favored narratives contrary to PL 2630, with major implications for the regulation of big tech and the protection of freedom of expression on the internet, highlighting the need for greater attention to the influence of recommendation and ranking algorithms in the formation of public opinion in controversial legislative contexts.

The article will be published in a future issue of Brazilian Political Science Review and goes on to be evaluated by the ABCP committee, which may be awarded as best article of the Congress.