Lula supporters protest against Meta to denounce its 'electoral interference'

Supporters of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva staged a protest outside Meta’s São Paulo offices six days before the presidential runoff, accusing the company of privileging content from opposition candidate Flávio Bolsonaro while reducing the reach of Lula’s posts. About 200 demonstrators organized by the Não Se Meta platform demanded explanations from Meta and pointed to a pattern of “electoral interference” dating back to Jair Bolsonaro’s 2018 victory. The Superior Electoral Court ordered Meta to prove within 24 hours that it treats both campaigns equally. Both Lula and Bolsonaro have filed complaints with the court alleging disadvantage on Meta-owned platforms; the company has denied meddling. Protesters highlighted that roughly 70% of Brazilians get news from Instagram and argued that content removals or throttling distort public debate and the balance of the race.

Speakers at the rally framed the dispute as part of a broader struggle over “digital sovereignty,” accusing Big Tech of “digital colonialism” and demanding public-control or domestic social platforms in a prospective fourth Lula term. Activists such as Veronyka Gimenes (Trava Hacker), Tiana Cauton and Mandi Coelho condemned Meta as part of a “hate industry” and called for street mobilization to defend communication rights. Demonstrators carried photos of Mark Zuckerberg and Donald Trump and chanted for Meta’s exclusion from Brazil’s electoral process.