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Brazil Electoral Court Orders Meta Equal Treatment for Candidates

By Drooid · Oct 21, 2026, 10:54 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Meta Ordered Equal Treatment

Brazil’s Electoral Court ordered Meta to give Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro equal treatment on its platforms.
Meta said it completed the required measures within the 24-hour deadline.
The court threatened a daily fine of about $200,000 for non-compliance.
Lula’s campaign claimed Meta’s algorithms reduced his post reach while boosting Bolsonaro’s content.
UN experts said Meta disproportionately curtailed accounts linked to Lula’s side, harming political discourse.

Summary

Lula Seeks Candidacy Annulment

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will petition the Electoral Court to annul Senator Flavio Bolsonaro’s candidacy over Meta interference.
During the debate, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva accused candidate Jair Bolsonaro of ties to jailed banker Daniel Vorcaro.
Jair Bolsonaro replied that Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s DNA is ‘tainted by corruption’ and warned far-right will not return.

History

Historical Context

In the 2018 election, Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court forced Facebook to stop political ads after a Senate report uncovered about 13 million fake-news posts and levied a R$30 million fine. The 28 October runoff elected Jair Bolsonaro, shifting the country rightward. In 2024 the court again ordered Meta to give Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro equal algorithmic reach, highlighting the fight over platform regulation.

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Meta Ordered Equal Treatment

Brazil’s Electoral Court ordered Meta to give Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro equal treatment on its platforms.
Meta said it completed the required measures within the 24-hour deadline.
The court threatened a daily fine of about $200,000 for non-compliance.
Lula’s campaign claimed Meta’s algorithms reduced his post reach while boosting Bolsonaro’s content.
UN experts said Meta disproportionately curtailed accounts linked to Lula’s side, harming political discourse.

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