Overview
- X recommended posts from declared electoral candidates to non-followers despite a TSE rule that took effect on August 16 that bars such automated recommendations except for paid posts.
- Independent checks by Folha de S. Paulo and Sleeping Giants Brasil found candidate content in X’s 'Para Você' feed and showed the platform’s public filter initially listed only 665 accounts while Brazil’s registry had more than 2,100 candidacies.
- After being questioned, X expanded its restricted list to nearly 2,400 accounts and said it altered its recommendation algorithm to stop suggesting candidate profiles to users who do not follow them.
- The Lula coalition filed a petition at the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral asking the court to notify X for possible favoritism, require continuous synchronization of the platform’s filter with the electoral registry, and preserve technical records and code for audits.
- The episode has raised diplomatic attention after a U.S. State Department official criticized the Brazilian rule and it highlights practical enforcement challenges when platforms must match their systems to imperfect candidate registration data.