What Brazil and the United States Can Learn from Each Other About Digital Governance
- Amy Kirschenbaum Swers
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Having spent more than two decades working at the intersection of international development, democratic governance, and international partnerships, I am thrilled to support the Brazilian Blueprint as a Senior Advisor.
My connection to Brazil began as a Fulbright scholar and Tinker Foundation fellowship recipient, an experience that sparked a lifelong appreciation for the country, its people, and the importance of cross-cultural learning.
Throughout my career in the U.S. government and the private sector, I’ve worked to strengthen the U.S.-Brazil ties and promote collaboration on shared challenges ranging from economic development and infrastructure to democratic governance and resilience.
A firm believer in the power of exchanges to build mutual understanding, I view international learning and cooperation as essential tools for strengthening democratic societies. It is from this context that I share the following analysis focused on current events in Brazil related to digital governance.
Digital Governance and the Future of Democracy
Recent developments in Brazil's approach to regulating digital platforms have placed the country at the center of a debate that democracies around the world are struggling to address:
How can governments protect citizens from online harms while preserving freedom of expression
and open democratic discourse?
This is not a uniquely Brazilian challenge. In the United States and across Europe, policymakers are grappling with the spread of disinformation, online fraud, foreign influence campaigns, and the growing power of digital platforms to shape public debate. As more of our civic and political lives move online, questions about how these spaces are governed have become increasingly important.
At its heart, this balance between protection
and freedom is not simply a technology issue.
It is a governance issue.
Throughout modern history, democratic societies have developed rules and institutions to oversee sectors that are critical to public life, from financial markets to telecommunications networks. Today, digital platforms play a similarly important role. They influence how citizens access information, engage in public debate, and participate in democracy itself.
The challenge for democratic governments is finding the right balance. Citizens expect protection from harmful and illegal online activity, but they also expect their rights and freedoms to be safeguarded. Striking that balance is difficult, and no single model has emerged as the clear answer.
This issue is yet another example of why dialogue between Brazil and the United States is so important. While the two countries may pursue different approaches, both are seeking ways to strengthen democratic institutions while adapting to rapidly evolving technologies. Both are confronting questions about accountability, transparency, and public trust in the digital age.
One of the enduring strengths of the U.S.-Brazil relationship is the opportunity to learn from one another. Democracies benefit when they share experiences, compare approaches, and engage in constructive dialogue about common challenges.
Digital governance is no exception.
Rather than viewing this issue solely through the lens of political disagreement, policymakers should recognize it as one of the defining governance challenges of the twenty-first century.
The future of democracy depends not only on the strength of our institutions; it depends on our ability to ensure that
democratic values continue to guide the digital spaces
where public life increasingly unfolds.
Even though our two countries share so many similarities (e.g. colonial history, geographic size and shared recognition as the two largest multiracial democracies in the world), the collaboration between civil society members in the US and Brazil should be even stronger to maximize benefits to both countries. It is exactly why our delegation will be in Brazil this October, with four focus areas, including misinformation and digital governance.
