In brief
Lula’s campaign has urged the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) to bar Flávio Bolsonaro from the presidential runoff, citing alleged interference by Meta that allegedly throttled Bolsonaro’s content. Bolsonaro counters with his own petition, accusing Lula of using state resources for political advantage on WhatsApp. Meta denies favoritism and vouches for equal treatment, while UN experts noted irregularities in reach and engagement between the campaigns. As Brazil heads to the polls on Sunday, the TSE’s ruling could shape the election’s outcome and set a precedent for tech regulation in politics.
Lula’s campaign urges Federal Electoral Court to disqualify Bolsonaro over alleged Meta bias
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has filed a petition at the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) seeking to disqualify his right‑wing rival Flávio Bolsonaro in the upcoming runoff, citing interference by Meta, the firm behind WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. Lula’s team claims the platform disproportionately limited Bolsonaro’s content to give the incumbent an advantage.
Bolsonaro in turn has filed a counter‑petition demanding that Lula be barred from running for eight years, alleging that government officials abused their economic power and used official data to send mass WhatsApp messages praising Lula’s social programmes.
Meta has denied any preferential treatment, saying it will comply with the court’s order to treat both campaigns equally. UN experts, however, have warned about irregularities in reach and engagement, noting “temporary interruptions of one candidate’s campaign account” and differences in audience exposure.
The dispute unfolds as Brazil heads to the polls on Sunday. In the first round on 4 October, Bolsonaro edged past Lula with a slim margin, forcing a second round that could see the incumbent secure a fourth term.
The final decision by the TSE will be crucial for the integrity of Brazil’s democratic process and may set a precedent for how tech giants are regulated in future elections around the world.
