A video game in which the user puts himself in the shoes of a slave master. This incredible application, made available to users of the Play Store since April 20, has caused a real outcry in Brazil.
The Public Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation for "hate speech" against this application in Portuguese which had been downloaded by more than a thousand people by midweek. Players were asked to "use slaves to enrich themselves" or to "make sure to avoid the abolition of slavery to accumulate money".
Google reacts
The app's usage guidelines explained that the game had "been designed for entertainment purposes only" and that its creators "condemned all types of slavery." After removing the game from its Play Store platform, Google said in a statement that "apps that promote violence or hatred against groups of people or individuals because of their skin color or ethnicity" were prohibited. The company has also invited Internet users to report any illegal content.
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The Department of Racial Equality said in a statement that it had asked Google for "effective measures to filter content containing hate speech, intolerance and racism," and "prevent it from spreading so easily, without moderation."
Racism is still very present in Brazil, the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery in 1888, and where more than 56% of the population is made up of Afro-descendants. "Brazil is one of the countries with the most consumers on Google's platforms, and there is this application that recalls the era of slavery, with bonuses for those who torture the most," said Renata Souza, a left-wing regional deputy from Rio de Janeiro.
"Lack of regulation of social networks"
"This is not only racism, but also fascism. Here in Brazil, we have a neo-fascist movement that is not afraid to show itself (...) because of the lack of regulation of social networks," adds the black parliamentarian.
Google was already at the heart of a controversy at the beginning of the month, openly criticizing - with links appearing under its search engine - a bill to regulate content on the Internet. The American giant eventually removed these links, but a Supreme Court judge ordered the opening of an investigation for "abusive campaigning" against this bill that should be voted soon in Congress.
The racist insults hurled Sunday in Spain against Brazilian international Vinicius Jr in the shirt of Real Madrid have sparked a wave of indignation throughout Brazil.