Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has fined Meta Platforms Inc. 7.5 million reais (approximately $1.34 million) for failing to fully comply with judicial orders during the country’s recent presidential election. The ruling was unanimous and addresses Meta’s handling of court requests, citing delays, incomplete disclosures, and challenges in verifying some provided information.
The fine follows a complaint filed by the coalition supporting Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ahead of the October 25 runoff vote. They accused Meta of “algorithmic manipulation” favoring Lula’s right-wing opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro. However, the court found no preliminary evidence that Meta intentionally sought to influence the election outcome.
Key Court Findings and Meta’s Response
The reporting judge, Marco Aurelio Belizze, explained that the fine is based on Meta’s overall conduct in responding to court mandates rather than any direct manipulation of electoral processes. ‘‘That conclusion would require robust evidence, to be produced through the appropriate legal proceedings,’’ Belizze stated, indicating that no such evidence was currently available.
Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, had earlier informed the court that it implemented measures to ensure equal treatment of all campaigns. Following the ruling, Meta strongly denied the allegations, declaring it would continue defending itself against what it termed “false allegations.”
Political Context and Calls for Regulation
Lula won the razor-thin runoff with 51.7% of the vote against Bolsonaro’s 48.2%. In his victory speech, Lula highlighted concerns about foreign interference through digital platforms, stressing the need for stronger regulations on major tech companies like Meta to protect electoral integrity.
The fine against Meta underscores ongoing tensions in Brazil over social media’s role in politics and the challenge of ensuring transparency and accountability during elections.
