Brazil’s Top Electoral Court Fines Meta $1.3M for Non-Compliance, Finds No Intentional Election Bias

Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has ordered Meta to pay 7.5 million reais (approximately $1.34 million) for failing to fully comply with judicial orders issued during last month’s presidential election.

However, the court found no evidence that Meta deliberately attempted to influence the election’s outcome.

Prior to the October 25 runoff, the coalition of leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva filed a complaint accusing Meta of “algorithmic manipulation” that favored his far-right rival, Flávio Bolsonaro.

Meta’s platforms include Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Court Cites Lack of Transparency and Missed Deadlines

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) unanimously ruled on Tuesday to impose the 7.5 million reais fine on the U.S. technology giant.

According to the court, Meta missed deadlines and failed to provide sufficient transparency during its investigation.

Nevertheless, the court’s rapporteur, Judge Marco Aurélio Belizze, wrote in his ruling that there was no preliminary evidence indicating intentional actions to sway the election.

“Such a conclusion would require robust evidence, to be produced through the appropriate legal proceedings,” he stated.

Belizze explained that the fine was based on Meta’s overall handling of the court orders, including delays, incomplete disclosures, and difficulties in verifying some of the information provided.

In a statement on Wednesday, Meta strongly denied the court’s ruling.

“We will continue to present the facts and defend ourselves against false allegations in the ongoing legal proceedings,” Meta said in a statement on Wednesday.

Lula Pledges to Regulate Social Media Platforms

Lula defeated Bolsonaro in a tight runoff on October 25, securing 51.7% of the vote against Bolsonaro’s 48.2%.

In his victory speech, Lula called for greater regulation of big tech platforms following allegations that Meta had interfered in the election.

“We had to overcome foreign interference in the election, coming from outside through digital platforms that we will have to regulate,” he said.

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