Complaints over Meta profile suspensions in Brazil jump 585% in election year

Complaints about Meta profile suspensions in Brazil surged 585% in the first nine months of 2026, reaching 73,300 reports, compared to the entire previous year. This represents 65.35% of all complaints against the company this year. Most complaints come from users aged 21 to 30, with 90% contacting Meta before filing with the government's consumer platform. Reports of blocked accounts have increased since the presidential runoff began on October 5, primarily from supporters of President Lula's re-election campaign. Internal Meta messages revealed employees admitted restrictions affecting Lula's Instagram account and algorithmic promotion of rival Flávio Bolsonaro, which is prohibited by electoral law. Meta denies political bias, stating its systems do not classify content based on ideology.