Meta denies bias against Brazil's President Lula after staff reportedly admitted his Instagram accounts were hindered during the election

Flávio Bolsonaro holds a narrow lead over President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in polls ahead of the October 25 runoff, with Lula's Workers' Party accusing Meta of interfering in the campaign.

Brazil's top electoral court issued an order on Thursday prohibiting Meta from placing unjustified restrictions on the political content of either candidate. Internal Meta communications reportedly indicate the platform was recommending Senator Flavio Bolsonaro's profile and WhatsApp channel. The ruling extends to Meta's AI chatbot, which is also forbidden from showing partiality toward either man. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Bolsonaro are set to contest a runoff on October 25.

Lula's party says his posts lost share buttons and reach, and some played without audio.

Brazilians in Dublin protested outside Meta's office with signs reading 'Meta, stay out of it'.

Flavio Bolsonaro, son of jailed ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, met President Donald Trump in May.

APMeta denies accusation of anti-Lula political bias in Brazil after electoral court ruling ReutersMeta employees said Lula's accounts were hindered during Brazil election, Folha reports Irish Times‘Hands off’: Brazilians protest outside Meta in Dublin over claims of election bias

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