Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Lula Campaign Accuses Meta of Election Interference in Brazil
Lula is a candidate in Brazil's upcoming presidential runoff.
His campaign says some of its posts were harder to see on Meta's apps.
It also says Instagram promotion and video view counts had problems.
The campaign believes these issues could affect the election.
Meta says the accusations are false and that some technical problems were not specific to Lula or Brazil.
Brazil's election court has asked Meta to explain what happened.
The company has 48 hours to respond.
Lula will face Flavio Bolsonaro in the October 25 runoff.
Lula's campaign alleges that Meta restricted the reach and promotion of content on its platforms.
The campaign cited Instagram promotion problems, interrupted video view counts, and missing profiles in search.
Meta rejected the allegations as false and said some reported technical issues were not limited to Brazil or specific accounts.
Brazil's Superior Electoral Court gave Meta 48 hours to explain any restrictions and reported irregularities.
The dispute comes before the October 25 presidential runoff between Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro.
- Who
- Lula's campaign, Meta, and Brazil's Superior Electoral Court; Lula is running against Flavio Bolsonaro.
- What
- Lula's campaign alleges that Meta restricted the visibility of campaign content; Meta denies the allegations, and the court has requested explanations.
- When
- The dispute was reported ahead of the October 25 presidential runoff; the court gave Meta 48 hours to respond.
- Where
- Brazil, on Meta-owned social media platforms.
- Why
- Lula's campaign says the alleged restrictions could affect the electoral process and benefit Flavio Bolsonaro.
Lula Campaign's Allegations
Meta's Response
Restrictions on campaign content
Lula Campaign's Allegations
The campaign says Meta prevented Lula's profile from promoting Instagram posts and that other content visibility problems affected its reach.
Meta's Response
Meta calls the allegations false and disputes that the reported problems targeted Lula's campaign.
Effect on the election
Lula Campaign's Allegations
The campaign says the reported incidents raise suspicions of an attempt to influence the election in favor of Flavio Bolsonaro.
Meta's Response
Meta says it follows electoral regulations and is committed to a level playing field; it also said some cited technical issues were not limited to Brazil or specific accounts.
- Runoff date
- October 25
- Court response deadline
- 48 hours
- Court
- Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE)
- Platforms named
- Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram
- Lula's opponent
- Senator Flavio Bolsonaro
- Campaign action
- Lula's campaign filed a formal complaint with the electoral court.