The resumption of the Supreme Federal Court trial on the confidentiality of Google searches

The Supreme Federal Court resumes this Wednesday 24th the trial that will define the limits for breaking the confidentiality of internet users based on searches made on sites like Google.

The ministers are analyzing an appeal by Google against a court order in the investigation into the murder of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco (PSOL) and driver Anderson Gomes in 2018. The case, however, has a general impact — that is, what the Court decides will serve as a parameter for lower courts in similar cases.

In April, Justice Gilmar Mendes requested a review of the vote and interrupted the vote. The votes of Cármen Lúcia, Kassio Nunes Marques, Edson Fachin, Dias Toffoli, Luiz Fux, and Luís Roberto Barroso also remain. Flávio Dino is not participating, having taken the seat of Rosa Weber, who has already voted.

Moraes and Zanin voted to share the data, disagreeing with the position of rapporteur Rosa Weber. André Mendonça also argued that the Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor's Office should not have access to online searches about the councilwoman.

The issue reached the Supreme Federal Court in 2021, following an appeal by Google after the Superior Court of Justice decided to break the confidentiality of an undetermined group of people who conducted searches related to Marielle.

Big tech claims that widespread search history scans constitute an invasion of privacy. The company believes the decision affects innocent people, as in Marielle's case, the terms searched are common, involving a public figure.