In brief
Before Brazil’s runoff, Lula’s campaign filed a petition against his rival Flávio Bolsonaro, claiming Meta tampered with the election by limiting Bolsonaro’s content while boosting Lula. Bolsonaro counter‑claimed the government had misused WhatsApp data to flood voters with official messages and sought Lula’s disqualification. Meta denies any preferential treatment and promises to comply with court orders to treat all candidates equally. The dispute follows a UN report warning that Meta must provide a level playing field during Brazil’s critical vote.
The incumbent Brazil president’s campaign has filed a petition seeking to disqualify his rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, accusing the social media giant Meta of tampering with the election process.
In a move ahead of the runoff on Sunday, Lula’s lawyers alleged that Meta had limited Bolsonaro’s content while boosting posts for the left‑wing candidate.
Bolsonaro counter‑claimed that the government abused WhatsApp data to flood voters with official programme messages, also filing a disqualification petition against Lula.
Meta has denied preferential treatment and said it will comply with a court order to treat all candidates equally.
The accusations followed a United Nations report warning that Meta must provide a level‑playing field, citing account restrictions, engagement differences and AI‑generated content disparities.
With the vote set for Sunday, Brazil’s 159 million registered voters face a potentially decisive showdown between the two leaders.
