Lula accuses Meta of bias toward Bolsonaro in Brazil runoff

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 00:03 · Archive

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has filed a complaint against Meta at the electoral court, alleging algorithmic bias and AI restrictions favouring opposition candidate Flávio Bolsonaro.

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva filed a complaint against Meta at the country's electoral court on Thursday, alleging algorithmic bias and artificial intelligence restrictions favouring opposition candidate Flávio Bolsonaro ahead of their 25 October runoff.

The filing accuses Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, of subjecting Lula's campaign materials and organic posts to unjustified reductions in reach. It also says Meta has not complied with a plan previously submitted to the electoral court to address these issues. The campaign argues that accounts and advertisements associated with Bolsonaro have received artificially inflated visibility, with engagement metrics rivalling those of global celebrities.

Lula's complaint claims a stark disparity in Meta's artificial intelligence tools, with users unable to generate campaign images for the 80-year-old president via WhatsApp's 'Meta AI' feature but able to do so to promote Bolsonaro. Campaign lawyers Gean Ferreira and Evelyn Santos stated that 'content from candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his supporters faces delivery restrictions, without any justification or transparency'.

Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The two candidates are in a close race, with Bolsonaro's son winning the first round on 4 October with 47 per cent of the vote against 45 per cent for the incumbent.

How it is being reported

• Brazil's Lula challenges Meta at electoral court for alleged algorithmic bias and AI restrictionsThe campaign of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Thursday it filed a complaint against Meta at the country’s electoral court.Clickorlando · 15 Oct, 23:41
• Brazil's Lula challenges Meta at electoral court for alleged algorithmic bias and AI restrictionsThe campaign of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Thursday it filed a complaint against Meta at the country’s electoral court.News4Jax · 15 Oct, 23:41

In this story: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva · Flávio Bolsonaro · Meta · Brazil

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