The National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) imposed over R$ 70 million in fines throughout 2024, with R$ 45 million for violations of the Consumer Defense Code (CDC) and R$ 25 million in sanctions from the Drug Market Regulation Chamber. Additionally, about 500 notifications were sent, 18 technical notes were prepared, and 644 administrative processes were completed.
Betting apps, known as "bets," which move billions of reais annually in Brazil, received special attention from the agency this year with over 150 formal notifications issued to companies.
The actions aimed to increase transparency in the practices of these platforms, demanding that they include clear information about the odds of winning and losing, betting limits, and terms for withdrawing funds.
A precautionary measure published in November prohibited the offering of bonuses and any advertising aimed at minors under 18, in an effort to prevent over-indebtedness and protect the financial and mental health of young people, who represent about 30% of bettors, according to Senacon studies.
Health plans
The relationship with health plan operators also received special attention. More than 100 notifications were sent to investigate abusive adjustments, coverage denials, and unilateral cancellations. The secretariat promoted public hearings to discuss clearer rules on portability of waiting periods and adjustment limits for collective contracts.
The action against digital platforms like Meta (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) was also significant. Senacon issued 120 notifications to investigate practices such as privacy violations, misuse of personal data, and targeting of advertising to children and adolescents. A precautionary measure prohibited, from September, the display of personalized ads to minors under 18.
Electricity and mobile telephony
Of the more than 500 notifications issued, about 150 were aimed at energy concessionaires for service quality failures. Enel Distribuidora São Paulo was fined R$ 13 million for CDC violations. In the telecommunications sector, eight major companies were notified due to the pre-installation of apps on mobile phones, a practice that can compromise privacy and device performance.
Source: GMB
