Brazil's Electoral Court Proposes Blocking Large WhatsApp Political Channels Ahead of 2026 Elections

Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) is considering a resolution to deactivate WhatsApp political channels with over 200,000 followers during the 48 hours preceding and 24 hours following the second round of elections on October 25, 2026. The draft resolution, initiated by TSE Vice-President André Mendonça, aims to curb misinformation and protect electoral integrity during a critical period when voter decisions could be influenced by illicit content.

The proposal targets high-reach political channels such as Lula's "Exército do Lula," which boasts over 7 million subscribers, and others like "Tropa do Flávio." This measure comes amid controversies including the suspension and reinstatement of the "Exército do Lula" channel, which faced accusations of spreading misinformation by Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign. The channel was initially taken down by TSE President Kássio Nunes Marques, then restored by the electoral justice corregidor, Ricardo Villas Bôas Cueva, and ultimately allowed to operate after proper registration.

While Mendonça emphasizes the proposal is a procedural electoral norm rather than a personal move, Kassio Nunes Marques has distanced himself from the draft, expressing opposition to last-minute changes to election regulations and raising concerns about fairness. The resolution seeks to treat political WhatsApp channels like paid campaign ads, subjecting them to similar restrictions, and prohibits the promotion of political posts in the restricted window.

Adding to the scrutiny of election information integrity, United Nations independent experts have questioned Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, regarding the alleged bias in content moderation and AI algorithms during the elections. Reports claim WhatsApp’s AI refused requests favoring Lula’s campaign while facilitating those of Flávio Bolsonaro’s. The TSE has demanded explanations from Meta, which claims compliance with judicial requirements to ensure balanced content treatment. UN experts stressed that political content moderation must not compromise access to information or freedom of association, urging Meta to reassess its systems to maintain democratic fairness.

This complex scenario underscores Brazil's efforts to safeguard the 2026 elections from digital misinformation and unequal technological influence, balancing regulatory intervention and platform accountability amid heated political contestation.