"The Telecenter and LAN house are good examples of how things work in Brazil. The Telecenter has rules, limits and control; in the LAN house the user is free to do whatever she wants, as long as she pays for the hour. It is the constant clash between the regulatory welfare state and the neoliberal policies."

“groups work tirelessly to delegitimise the democratic institutions in Brazil. These groups make and distribute fake news as a way to take advantage of people's fears and vulnerabilities. As people hope for a solution and as a fix to the fears, they promote the narrative of pro-military intervention.”

“You may notice a stark disconnect between the favela and digital technologies used there. This is not due to lack of education in the slum, but rather to a lack of education of those who develop the technologies without knowing the favela.”

“This premise -- that technology only came to promote progress -- puts us in great danger since there is no questioning of its functionality, problem-solving, advantages and disadvantages. Without consciousness of the use of digital technologies, we end up being cast in a way that is imposed on us. Having a critical approach is necessary to shape the technologies to respect our culture, customs and needs.”

“Even though there are mobile devices in the favela, people still need fixed centers like Telecenters and LAN houses. Such centers are points of reference for Internet access where people keep their profiles on social networking sites and download enough music, photos and videos to last until they can return. Not only for Internet access, these centers become important spaces where people share different experiences with their phones and tablets and eventually empower themselves.”

“Informal education and situated knowledge in the favelas become powerful weapons to promote digital inclusion since formal education imposed on residents is decontextualized and no longer meets their needs, if it ever did.”

“Favelas, as well as other areas of social abandonment, are clear examples of how the problematique of digital inequalities goes beyond the purchase of physical technology. Such places are filled with digital gadgets but their use seems to lack content and significance. This is a reflection of the current situation of our favelas, without basic education, autonomy, and consciousness. It is necessary to pay attention to these factors as digital technology will not solve the problems it did not cause.”