Online fraud in Brazil reveals that the danger of scams is merely a mouse click away, due to the combination of human errors and artificial intelligence.

In the digital landscape of Brazil, concerns over digital security have become a pressing issue. Every eight seconds, a Brazilian falls victim to digital scams, making it a significant problem that demands attention.

The country leads in the "leaks of cookies," with seven billion records of Brazilian users found in the dark web, according to Itforum. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency for improved digital security measures.

Reports related to security incidents are intrinsically linked to the privacy of personal data. The Brazilian National Data Protection Authority (ANPD), tasked with promoting the security of personal data and enforcing the General Law of Protection of Personal Data (LGPD), is at the forefront of these efforts.

Anyone who believes their rights have been violated can present a denunciation to the ANPD in the form of a report or a petition. The authority will supervise through reports, petitions of owners, and investigations of incidents reported through the media.

In 2024, there were 24 times more data breaches in Brazil compared to the previous year. One such breach was a case of phishing aimed at robbing users of their personal data. The scam was particularly insidious, using impostors and artificial intelligence to create deepfakes, videos with manipulated images and voices, to encourage people to provide their personal data.

Notable personalities, such as journalist Sandra Annenberg, have been affected by these scams. Annenberg reported the use of her image in these scams on her social media.

In an effort to combat these threats, the Office of Social Communication issued an alert against scams that use websites and government policies in January 2024 through the Brazil Against Fake program.

However, false news about a program called "Resgata Brasil" (Retrieve or Recuperate Brazil in English) circulated during this period. It was later found to be untrue.

In response to these challenges, the ANPD introduced its Regulatory Agenda for 2025-2026. Key focuses include guidelines for the treatment of personal data of children and adolescents, stricter rules on sensitive biometric and health data, and clear orientations for the ethical, transparent use of artificial intelligence and big data to protect data subjects' rights.

Maurice, a security expert, offers some practical advice for internet users. This includes using strong passwords, avoiding repeating passwords, using a password manager, activating two-step verification or multi-factor authentication, verifying URLs, observing website names, and searching for the truthfulness of information.

As of August 11, the ANPD's incident panel had registered 250 cases of reports. The fight against digital scams and data breaches in Brazil continues to be a significant challenge, but with vigilance and the right measures in place, progress can be made.