Mar 21, 2026
3 min read
The conversation with Roberto Ytaysaba Anacé, the indigenous head of Anacé, a population that sees in their garden the construction of a TikTok data center that will cost more than R $ 200 billion.
Imagine you are at home on an unexpected Sunday.Quietly after a tiring day of work, you will find an important project that will be carried out a few kilometers from your home, and as a result, there may be no water.
As if that weren't enough, in addition to this inconvenience, the installation will be done inside the park specifically for you. The place where you built several of your best monuments will be completely destroyed by heavy machinery and a hundred people. Add to this equation the fact that you were not consulted about the process.
Our featured videos
This is more or less how the natives of Ansa feel.The Ansa people traditionally live in the municipalities of São Gonzalo do Amarante and Coquia in the metropolitan area of Fortaleza (CE).Currently, work is underway to build a TikTok data center near the site, which will cost US$200 billion.
Just like the fictional (not so) residents of the big city who transform their memories and lives with graves, the original people suffer from a lack of perspective and fear that their relationship with the land will change completely.
Indeed, in the case of indigenous peoples, there is still reason to fear violence in a situation that is not normal, creating a sense of inevitability.But despite all the setbacks, "fear" is not a concept found in traditional populist vocabulary.
He spoke personally with Cacique Roberto Ytaysaba Anacé.He tells a little about how the public is angry that the media found out about the work of the data center and the recent torture cases.In summary, he reports on what it's like to live as an indigenous person in the age of algorithms, big data and artificial intelligence.
The owner contacted all the houses that the owner mentioned in the interview.The positions of all teams and companies can be followed at the bottom of the page.Additionally, to understand more about the project, the values involved, potential disadvantages and benefits, go to the article linked below.
Interview with Chief Roberto Yataysaba Anas
: Tell me a little about your family and your daily life?
Chief Roberto Itajsaba Anase: I don't want to comment on this.We are facing serious problems.We are home to many human rights defenders in Brazil.My father told me that a lot of chemical waste comes to our area, I don't understand what it is.Today I see that what other countries don't want, they dump here.well, green cement is good, green energy is good and we know it's all worth it.It is often the price of social aggression, social cleansing, and mostly, to indigenous communities born and bred in the area.
: You have commented on many issues [of violence] which are not new.And you shared with me the video of your reporting on the attack on January 29*.I wanted to know how the case went and what measures were taken.
Chief: Well, people went to the expert examination and a police report was drawn up.The Secretariat for Human Rights heard from [my] relatives who were there.Funai also referred, as did the Civil Police and the Federal Police.And everything is confidential to the court.
*About this violence.The indigenous people of Anacé said that on January 29, the men attacked in a car early in the morning.The indigenous people reported that they had been tortured and the incident was reported to the police, who are continuing the investigation.There are currently no prisoners.At this point, it should be noted that there is no indication that cases of torture, violence and other intimidation are not correlated with the construction of the data center.Both are considered different hardships that the Anacé people went through.
: How are people doing?Have you been affected?How are you?
Chief: I was psychologically affected because these are my family, my people.That day, I wasn't there to recover.It wasn't just aggression, it was torture.They stayed from midnight until 3 in the morning with guns in their [natives'] mouths.At 4 in the morning we called Ciop [Centre of Integrated Operations].The car drove off and did nothing.They [the attackers] were there and [the police] didn't even issue an arrest warrant.
"It's not just violence, it's torture"
: You already answered half of my next question, but I wanted to ask you a little more about the sensation.I wanted to know if you feel safe in the region today, what is it like to live with all these problems together every day.Not only in the data center and everything, but also in relation to attacks.
Chief: The feeling of uncertainty is more on the side of the police.As incredible as it may seem.Because the community is still a peaceful community in a way.It has its problems, you know, concerning the penal code, as they do everywhere.[But] the biggest problem is the unprepared police.The biggest problem is that those who cause us insecurity are precisely those who should give us security.
: Learn more about this data center issue now.The first question on the matter is whether there have been attempts to talk directly to TikTok, Casa dos Ventos or the government of Ceará.Has anyone contacted Anacé leaders about this project?
Chief: This contact only happened because we knew about [the data center] through Intercept**, right?And we took action in Semace [Environmental Control Authority of the State of Ceará] and demanded that our protocol be heard, seen, read and understood.We have the first protocol built in the State of Ceará.And the Civil House, not the government, asked to speak to us.We talked with them almost negotiating the issue of TikTok saying that we will get the infrastructure, the platform, that the energy will increase, the internet will increase, but all this is general politics.And so far nothing has come [...]
** The Intercept was one of the first news outlets to cover the issue of installing a TikTok data center in Ceara.Among other things, the website revealed that the Ceara government had allowed the facilities to use seven times more water than expected in the environmental permit.
Chief: [...] I'm in front of CRAS [Social Assistance Reference Center] here.[CRAS], stopped due to energy problem with Kokaya not working properly.It's rampant here, you know?
: And work started [on the data center] in January, right?
Chief: It was.But it seems they have already started, because the business has developed, you know?And then we had that conversation with the government and it was a tiring conversation.Because, at all times, the government does not take care of the communities.Their last agenda is community.Both the municipality and the state [...]
Chief: [...] So, like, [there was] no advice.They said that they are consulting, but there is no consultation.It was an official meeting and then they sent a company called Omnia [responsible for building the data center] to come and do some workshops.They sent a man who they said was a facilitator.Then I also joked with him: "But thank God you brought pain medicine."And... what is the name of that sleep?Those who become calm."So you are the person who relaxes the pain, so it doesn't hurt too much? Then he said: "No, not like that". And yes. We have no facilitator. Our people have no facilitator. This is our speech. We will not speak well, we do not want a data center and we have done [...]
Sheriff: […] there was no warning.So until now we are still struggling because there is no consultation.And why do we fight if everything is over?They can build a building, but to us everything they do is of no value.
"We're not going to speak well, we don't want a data center and that's it"
: They did not allow you to actively participate in the process, without hindrance, express your opinion clearly and take into account ...
Director: Yes.They are politicians, we put them [sic] to rule, but actually we put them and they feel they own what is ours, they still rule what is ours.They still speak for us without us being present.
: And then you commented on the problem of lack of energy, which happens even before the start of this work.I would like to know if you have any problems, regarding water access and other access.
Aaqil: Not all the communities around this project, the building itself, have running water.So, everything they take from the water table will be taken from the falls, the people who don't have water now.
: Actually, this issue - you also discussed this today - in support of this project: This is a business that, from what you can understand from reading the news.generally accepted by politiciansEven in the business classEveryone seems to accept it.Is that perception?
Boss: Yeah, more or less.Even the population, a part of the population accepts it because they don't know what it is.And, always, in the licenses, in the dialogue, in the presentation of the documents, in the justifications, they publish one thing, then add another and deceive the people that the real damage is going to be done.
: Do you think, if there is a vote, for example, among the entire population of Ceará, it will pass?The population doesn't really know what it is, but do you think it will pass?
Chief: YesPeople will vote against themselves because they don't know betterThey really don't know what it isThey only want to present wine, feast and breadThey say: TikTok is great, saving people's data is great, it will benefit people a lotWe will lose, we will surely lose
: Casa dos Ventos, Omnia, those in TikTok, in short, there will be social growth, job creation, many entrepreneurial opportunities.This is the opposite of what they sell.But I wanted to know what the community really wanted or requested about the project.I want to know what the indigenous population of Anacé is really asking for and what they might ask for when faced with this kind of data center setup.
Chief: First, the delimitation of our country.Then the public politics of shame and truth.Let our organizations work on this infrastructure of our entire village, our regions.We would show that our village would be much more beautiful than Kaukaia town hall.But we sent the draft.You know that project where you envision something but don't want it?we don't want to agree.It’s decided.” And the compensation they want to give is just a workshop.
: If you were asked to redesign this process from scratch, from scratch, what would you do if you were responsible for the entire process?
Chief: First of all, this process must be truly democratic.I understand that each community can have its own data center, without problems and less aggressive.However, since this is something that enriches the smaller group, the bigger it is, the more damage it will do.If it is democratic and all the communities, all the councils, democratically, with laws aimed at environmental security, social security, etc.I think AI [can also be] very democratic.But, in this format they have, they say that water is a closed circuit.No: the closed circuit is rich.They take it for themselves, sell it for themselves and make a profit for themselves [...]
"My father said that leaf - coin leaf - fighters are grasshoppers. So this is a form of grasshopper that destroys our nature. It is the plague of the desert."
: And what message do you want to send to TikTok users in Brazil and around the world about what it means for the citizens of Anase to place a $1 billion data center in a region where many families still live without adequate access to water and energy?
Lurah: The only thing that often benefits and blinds many people is destroying the great indigenous community.It is criminal, aggressive.Data centers are slave ships, worse than slave ships.They are not trying to take our bodies, they want to take our souls, and not just slaves, but the whole population.
: Now what are the next steps?What works will be carried out in the next few months following the construction of the data center?
Executive director: Now let's wait for the president's decision***.Maybe do something to show the negligence of SEMACE and Funai.We have a good number of people, we have a team.But the problem is the situation for taking people to war.It's an unfair fight.We are fighting against the state and millionaire merchants.
*** During the technical investigation, the Federal Ministry of Public Affairs (MPF) found that there were deficiencies in the environmental permit for the construction of the data center.The investigation showed, for example, that the use of diesel generators was not taken into account during the licensing process, which increases the impact of the work in the area.
: Is there something I didn't ask and would you like to talk about the Anacés data center and Tiktok?
Major: Social networks, good people, journalists, it is important to pay more attention to this topic because then it may be too late.It will be too late for those who know how to appreciate real things.When they centralize data and command everyone, not even the press itself will be able to resist.I may live on this slave ship one day, but I will never regret fighting.Those who were out would later realize that the Anastians were on the right side.
In Ceará, find below the complete status of bodies related to the problem of the Anacé indigenous people.
Secretary of Public Security and Social Security in Ceara
"The Secretariat of Public Security and Social Defense of Ceara (SSPDS-CE) informs that it continues a constant dialogue with the Secretariat of Indigenous Peoples (Sepince) and Human Rights (Sedih) aimed at strengthening the security policy aimed at the first peoples of Ceara. Regarding the situation of Anacés, in S2929, in S229, Ceara Sepince, Sedih, the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples (Funai), the Public Ministry of Ceara (MPCE) and the Institute of Agrarian Development of Ceara(Idace)'s goal was to take coordinated action to protect the group while respecting the responsibilities of each body.
SSPDS also highlights that on January 22, 2026, the PMCE Prevention and Community Support Command (Copac) was requested to intervene in the conflict in Tanupaba, Caucasus.At the time, the local people of Anace rejected an approach by a group that claimed ownership of the area.The PMCE intervened on the spot and referred the case to Funai so that the case could be resolved through the Federal Court.
Then, on 29 January 2026, special community policing teams were mobilized following reports of attacks on indigenous people claiming ownership of the area in the same location.This attack took place before the police were called.Given the facts, the Sierra Leone Civil Police (PCCE) initiated a process and referred the matter to the Federal Police in charge of investigation.
After inter-agency coordination, it was decided to strengthen overt patrolling with Community Safety Group (GSC/Copac/PMCE) teams.The team also sent assistance from the Advocacy Center for Defense Programs (Napp) and the Human Rights Reference Center (CRDH), both from the Secretariat for Human Rights (Sedih).
The SSPDS-CE reaffirms its commitment to indigenous peoples through the Integrated Action Plan for the Protection of Indigenous Peoples and Territories (PAIPTI).Starting in 2024, the Public Security Research and Strategy Guide (Supesp) supports a dynamic group to monitor crimes against indigenous peoples, providing transparency and a framework for new public policies.
During the scope of training, a partnership signed in August 2025 between the Academy of Public Security of the State (Aesp) and Sepince includes the subject of indigenous rights in the training curriculum of security professionals, including seminars and extension courses.
The SSPDS reinforces the importance of citizen collaboration.Reports can be made through the hotline 181 or WhatsApp (85) 3101-0181, which receives messages, audio and videos.The e-denunciation website (https://disquedenuncia181.sspds.ce.gov.br) even has a specific area for crimes that occur in indigenous territories.Confidentiality and anonymity are guaranteed."
Secretariat for Human Rights Ceará
"The Secretariat of Human Rights of Ceara (Sedih) in coordination with the Secretariat of Indigenous Peoples, Ceara (Sepin) provided assistance to six indigenous peoples of Indace on January 29, 2026. The group was welcomed by representatives of the Protection Center (Napp) and Human Rights Advoca.
Faced with the observation of a threat situation experienced within the action for the protection of the territory, quickly and quickly, the members of the group not yet integrated in this policy were included in the program for the protection of human rights defenders, communicators and environmentalists (PPDDH), from that time and were integrated into the state system for the protection of people (SEPP).PPDDH includes a series of protective measures, in addition to legal and psychosocial assistance, for human rights defenders, communicators and environmentalists, in the danger zone or who have been exposed to rights violations due to their actions (decree no. 36,947/2025).
This program is part of the SEPP, which includes the Program for the Protection of Children and Adolescents at Risk of Death (PPCAAM), the Program for the Protection of Threatened Victims and Witnesses (Interim) and the Interim Protection Program (PPPro).
"TikTok respects local communities and the socio-environmental standards applicable to infrastructure projects. The development of the data center follows the regulatory and licensing process as defined by the competent authorities, including the applicable impact assessment as provided for in Brazilian legislation. We will continue to work with partners and authorities to ensure that it is carried out in a responsible, sustainable and transparent manner."
"All the development of the Pecem Data Center is carried out in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The project has been analyzed and approved by the competent environmental authority, SEMACE, which certifies sustainability and gives valid environmental permits. The project is located in the ZPE Ceara, an industrial zone officially established by the public administration of the country, and has been structured with special support for multidisciplinary environmental protection by environmental robusilin.
Given the project's technical characteristics, applicable legislation and its location in a previously industrial zone, the project's permitting process did not require a free, prior and informed consultation (CLPI).Nevertheless, OMNIA works in the region to expand dialogue and maintain a continuous interaction and relationship with local communities, which goes beyond legal obligations.
OMNIA is developing the Pecém Data Center project based on technical responsibility, sustainability and constant dialogue with the people in the project area, including the leaders of the Anacé people.Since the beginning of its work on the project, the company has been in constant contact with the community, holding face-to-face meetings in their communities to promote an open environment for listening and discussion.These meetings were not only intended to clearly present the project, but also to explain issues related to water use, energy use and employment.
The Pecém Data Center is a structural investment for Ceará, with the potential to generate direct and indirect jobs, train the local workforce, strengthen the regional supply chain and encourage technological innovation and the development of the digital economy.OMNIA's commitment is to contribute to the sustainable development of the region with greater socio-environmental responsibility, an active presence in the region and a permanent dialogue with all the surrounding communities.Transparency, continuous listening and legal security are non-negotiable principles in the realization of the project.
Caucaia Kota Hull
He did not respond to questions until the end of the report.
He did not answer questions until the end of the presentation.
He did not answer questions until the end of the report.
