Brazil's Electoral Court Fines Meta $1.34 Million Over Election Orders

Technology · First reported 11 Nov, 03:20 · Updated 04:43

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Ysherazi · CC BY-SA 4.0

Brazil's top electoral court unanimously fined Meta 7.5 million reais ($1.34 million) for failing to fully comply with court directives during the presidential election runoff between Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro. The court noted missed deadlines and incomplete disclosures, but stated there is no preliminary evidence of intentional bias or election interference, while Meta pledged to defend itself against false allegations.

Brazil's Superior Electoral Court unanimously ordered Meta to pay a fine of 7.5 million reais ($1.34 million) for failing to fully meet judicial orders during the presidential runoff campaign.
The penalty followed a complaint by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's coalition alleging algorithmic manipulation, post distribution limits, and inauthentic accounts favoring rival Flavio Bolsonaro.
Reporting judge Marco Aurelio Bellizze stated that while Meta acknowledged technical failures and missed disclosure deadlines, no preliminary evidence demonstrates deliberate efforts to manipulate the election.
The total penalty comprises three daily fines of 500,000 reais from October 17 to 19, and six daily fines of 1 million reais from October 20 to 25.
Meta rejected the ruling and stated that it complied with Brazilian electoral law and applied the same rules to all political parties and candidates.
Following his election victory, Lula reiterated calls for tighter regulation of international digital platforms to counter perceived foreign interference.