Brazil's Self-Regulatory Code for Internet Service Providers

According to the Brazilian Association of Internet Service Providers (ABRANET) there are currently more than 1,000 ISPs in Brazil. Yet, only 5 large companies hold 50 percent of the market share in terms of Internet users. Brazil is not only the largest and most populous country in South America (about 190,132.630 inhabitants) but also one of the biggest economies in this region (9th in the world in terms of purchase power). These facts make it attractive for foreign ISPs in search of Latin American markets. In addition to administrative and regulatory rules, ISPs in Brazil may submit to the self-regulations of the Brazilian ISPs' Code - Código De Auto-Regulamentação De Operadores De Rede E De Serviços Internet.-

ABRANET published the Código De Auto-Regulamentação De Operadores De Rede E De Serviços Internet (the ISPs' Code), a self-regulatory code for ISPs, in April 2007. The code is currently in force for those companies that agree to its terms. Its first goal is to establish a set of ethical rules for companies providing Internet services in Brazil and for users of these services; including rules for the handling of individuals' private information. Second, it purports to protect ISP users. And, third, it sets the ISPs' responsibilities. Article 3 states that this code's rules should be interpreted deferring to the freedom of expression and communication, and users' right to the information and access to the information. Its rules do not apply to individuals' private conflicts such as commercial contracts, e-mail violations, spam, or offensive e-mails.

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