Key facts
- Lula's campaign filed a petition to disqualify rival Flávio Bolsonaro.
- The petition alleges Meta platforms unfairly limited Lula's campaign content.
- Bolsonaro filed a counter-petition seeking Lula's disqualification.
- UN experts raised concerns about unequal campaign reach on Meta's platforms.
Incumbent Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has asked the country's top electoral court to disqualify his rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, alleging that Meta platforms interfered in the upcoming election. Lula's campaign filed a petition on Wednesday, claiming Meta unfairly limited content promoting his campaign to boost Bolsonaro's. In response, Bolsonaro filed a petition seeking Lula's disqualification over alleged mass dissemination of government posts on WhatsApp. Meta has denied treating the campaigns unequally. UN experts also expressed concern on Wednesday about reports of discrepancies in campaign reach on Meta's platforms, urging the company to ensure a level playing field.