Protesters rally outside Meta headquarters in Brazil over alleged election interference

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - OCT. 19: Demonstrators gathered outside Meta's headquarters in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Monday, Oct. 19, to protest alleged restrictions on political content during the country's presidential election period.

Members of social movements and digital rights organizations assembled on Avenida Faria Lima, holding banners and chanting slogans against what they described as arbitrary restrictions on content reach and removals.

The protesters demanded greater transparency and accountability from Meta, along with clearer review mechanisms and digital protections for journalists, social movements and civil society organizations.

They also announced plans to submit a formal notification to Meta's Brazil director amid ongoing inquiries by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office.

The demonstration came as a Brazilian court ordered Meta to demonstrate that its artificial intelligence systems were not favoring either candidate ahead of the Oct. 25 presidential runoff.

Meta denied giving preferential treatment to either candidate, saying its rules applied equally to all political figures.

The court gave Meta 24 hours to provide evidence of equal treatment of the presidential campaigns of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro.