by Jamil Chade
Brazilian immigrants in Ireland are organizing a protest outside one of Meta’s key global offices. The initiative, taking place this Friday, October 16, in Dublin, aims to draw the company’s attention to accusations of algorithmic manipulation during Brazil’s elections that puts the progressive candidate at a disadvantage. Another goal is to warn Europeans about the risks posed by Big Tech’s involvement in democracies.
Although Meta Platforms, Inc. is officially headquartered in California, its Dublin base is considered one of its most strategic locations. It serves as Meta’s international headquarters for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Poster advertising the protest on Friday, October 16, outside Meta’s headquarters in Dublin.
In its call to action, the group explains the reason for the protest:
“Brazilian democracy is under threat. Meta is actively suppressing Lula’s campaign and the Brazilian left on its platforms, while actively boosting far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro,” they state.
“We call on Brazilians in Dublin to join us for a protest at Meta’s headquarters this Friday, October 16, at 5:30 PM, against interference by U.S. Big Tech companies in our democracy and sovereignty. Let’s go! Join us!” the message concludes.
Julia Pires, one of the organizers, explained to ICL Notícias that the idea emerged collectively.
“We are in the right place for this,” she said. “Meta enjoys tax credits and preferential treatment here. But we also want to send a warning to Europeans: look at what they are doing to democracy in Brazil and Latin America. Today, it’s happening there. Tomorrow, it could be here—with you,”
According to Pires, the operation will also involve Irish civil society, specifically to challenge the tax benefits the company has been receiving.
“The next move is to take the issue to the Irish Parliament for debate,” Pires said. “The benefits could be revoked. At the very least, they should be questioned.”
The protest in Ireland remains symbolic, given the tax dispute between the US and the company.
In 2010, the company—then known simply as Facebook—established an office in Dublin. Officially, the goal was to create a European headquarters. With a tax rate of just 12%, Ireland successfully attracted many companies seeking to avoid the 21% rates in the U.S.
Setting up operations in the country also allowed companies to shift profits to other low-tax jurisdictions, such as the Cayman Islands, which levies no corporate income tax.
In recent years, however, U.S. authorities have accused Meta of engaging in a strategic maneuver. The company allegedly transferred intellectual property rights to its Irish subsidiary, allowing Meta to report overseas profits that differed substantially from those reported in the U.S.
Auditors maintain that the company undervalued trademarks, customer contracts, software licenses, and other rights transferred abroad. They claim the company failed to report approximately $54 billion in revenue over the last decade and owes nearly $16 billion in back taxes and penalties.
This article was originally published by ICL Notícias. It was translated by Panamerican Dispatch. You can read it in its original Portuguese, here.