Lula campaign alleges Meta blocked his posts ahead of runoff
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s campaign says Meta restricted his content on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp as the presidential runoff approaches.
In the lead-up to Brazil’s October 25 presidential runoff, the campaign of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva claimed that Meta’s platforms hindered the distribution of his online content. Specific grievances include a block on promoting Instagram feed posts, a sudden drop in view counts for a post from his official account, and the disappearance of his profile from Instagram’s search function. The campaign argues these actions favor Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who topped the first-round vote.
A formal complaint has been lodged with the electoral court. Meta’s Brazil office responded that the accusations are unfounded, stating that the cited technical glitches are not limited to Brazil and that the company complies with electoral regulations. Lula, who does not use a mobile phone, has intensified his digital outreach with video messages following the first round.
Why it matters
Alleged social-media bias could influence Brazil’s tightly contested presidential runoff.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 Lula runs ultra-cautious campaign as poll gap with Bolsonaro narrows
- Sep 13 A new poll released in early September records Bolsonaro at 46% and Lula at 45% in a hypothetical runoff.
- Sep 25 President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed an order banning online betting in Brazil, a move that takes effect immediately but needs congressional approval within 120 days.
- Sep 28 The ban is now subject to a 120‑day congressional review.
- Oct 2 Presidential debate scheduled for Oct 1 was cancelled after the electoral court barred Lula’s participation and Bolsonaro withdrew.
- Oct 4 Both candidates held final campaign rallies, with Lula ending his bid in São Paulo and Flávio Bolsonaro leading a motorcycle convoy in São Paulo state.
- Oct 4 Alcohol dependence in Portugal has almost quadrupled over the past ten years, with only a fifth of sufferers receiving treatment, and Brazil prepares for a closely fought presidential vote.
- Oct 4 First round of Brazil’s presidential election was held.
- Oct 4 First round of voting produced no candidate with over 50%, making a runoff likely.
- Oct 5 First‑round results show Flávio Bolsonaro ahead with 47.1% and Lula at 45%, triggering a runoff on Oct 25.
- Oct 5 Senator Flavio Bolsonaro said the recent vote gave the right a dominant majority in Brazil's Senate and Chamber of Deputies.
- Oct 6 Flavio Bolsonaro secured a first‑round victory, making him the runoff frontrunner.
- Oct 9 Augusto Cury announced he will vote for Bolsonaro in the runoff.
- Oct 10 Former Minas Gerais governor Romeu Zema and former President Michel Temer publicly endorsed Flavio Bolsonaro.
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