Meta Employees Confirm in Internal Communications of Alleged Bias Against Lula in Brazilian Elections
The disclosures add to a court order requiring Meta to treat Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro equally before the runoff, after complaints of biased algorithms and AI tools.
- On Friday, Meta employees acknowledged in internal communications that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's Instagram accounts were restricted during the election, according to Folha de S.Paulo.
- The internal messages also revealed that the platform actively recommended the profile and WhatsApp channel of challenger Flavio Bolsonaro, contradicting neutrality claims.
- Lula's campaign alleged that Meta used biased algorithms to manipulate social media, claiming posts lacked share buttons and users struggled with WhatsApp's "Meta AI" for campaign images.
- Brazil's top electoral court directed Meta on Thursday to ensure equal treatment for both candidates, stipulating that "Meta AI, the company's artificial intelligence chatbot, must not favor either candidate."
- Ahead of the October 25 runoff election, Lula will face Bolsonaro following the senator's stronger-than-expected performance in the first-round vote held earlier this month.
11 Articles
11 Articles
The Instagram accounts of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva suffered adverse consequences from restrictive measures during the country's elections, writes Folha de S.Paulo. The Brazilian newspaper reports that staff at parent company Meta acknowledged this in internal communications.
Meta employees said Lula's accounts were hindered during Brazil election, Folha reports
SAO PAULO, Oct 16 - Employees at Meta acknowledged in internal communications that the Instagram accounts of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were negatively affected by restrictions during the country's election, newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported on Friday, citing messages it reviewed. Read more at straitstimes.com.
INTERNAL Meta documents revealed that restrictions on Instagram negatively affected the profile of Brazilian President Lula da Silva during the election, while the platform simultaneously promoted Bolsonaro.
The Economic Times
Times of IndiaMeta employees confirm in internal communications of alleged bias against Lula in Brazilian elections
Meta's employees confirmed in an internal communication that the company had restricited Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvas accounts during the Brazilian elections. The development followed Brazil's top electoral court ruling that the tech company must ensure equal treatment of the presidential candidates ahead of the October 25 runoff elections. The ruling had come after Lula filed a complaint accusing Meta of restrictions in favour…
Company officials report problems to boost petist posts and prohibited algorithmic recommendation on Instagram and WhatsApp by Flávio Bolsonaro
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Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources are Center, 37% of the sources lean Right
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