The New York Times reported on October 14 that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s campaign had filed a complaint with Brazil’s electoral court on the Saturday before publication, accusing Meta of disadvantaging its content and benefiting rival Flávio Bolsonaro. Brazil’s presidential runoff was scheduled for October 25, 2026. Meta denied political bias. The New York Times reported the complaint and Meta’s response.
The campaign’s allegations and Meta’s response
The campaign and social-media watchdog groups alleged that Instagram search results omitted progressive activists, videos critical of Flávio Bolsonaro were removed without explanation, and pro-Lula posts reached fewer people. The Workers’ Party (PT) also alleged that Meta AI handled political content with bias, according to Europa Press. These are claims by the campaign and watchdog groups, not measured findings in the cited reports.
Meta said its systems do not operate to harm or favor candidates, and attributed some reported problems to technical glitches or unintended errors. Meta also told AFP that many of the cited technical issues affected places or accounts beyond Brazil and Lula’s campaign. AFP reported the company’s response.
What the TSE reportedly asked Meta
AFP reported that Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court (TSE) gave Meta 48 hours to explain whether it had reduced the reach of Lula campaign posts, detail measures applied to Lula’s official accounts profile by profile, and explain irregularities in video metrics.
Valadares described plans for international outreach
In a video published by SBT News on October 14, PT communications secretary Éden Valadares said the campaign planned to meet international election observers and was considering steps beyond a court complaint to mobilize the international community. He described plans, not completed actions.
