Protection against Disinformation on the Internet: A Portuguese Perspective

Abstract

Disinformation, largely enhanced by the advent of the Internet and social networks, is one of the most serious challenges to the proper functioning of democratic systems today. In societies based on freedom of expression, protection against disinformation raises complex problems of reconciling of values. This has been highlighted in particular by recent developments in Portuguese law. This article presents an overview of these issues and of the extent to which tort liability may be utilized under Portuguese law as a potential means of protection against disinformation.