Maré of Rights and the Use of WhatsApp Against Police Violence in Brazil

Abstract

This case study explores how residents of the Maré Complex in Rio de Janeiro—one of Brazil’s largest favela communities—use WhatsApp as a tool of resistance and data collection to document human rights violations during violent police operations. Through the NGO Redes da Maré and its “Eyes on Maré” project, residents report abuses in real-time via WhatsApp, enabling the deployment of legal and social support teams and the creation of evidence-based security bulletins. This grassroots surveillance and advocacy initiative not only counters state narratives but also seeks justice through national courts and international bodies like the UN. The study highlights how marginalized communities can leverage everyday digital tools to produce counter-hegemonic knowledge and demand state accountability.