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Leaked Meta messages say Lula's accounts were hindered in Brazil vote

Folha reported internal Meta messages saying the platform recommended Bolsonaro's profile and WhatsApp channel while Lula's accounts were hindered; the run-off is tightening.

On air: Chip Darnell on Late Night BBN
Published 10:47 PM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

Watch the segment

Interviews“It points wherever the yacht is going, and tonight the yacht is going to dinner.”Tobias Marchetti-Vance▶ Full · 1:36Meta Leak Probe: Yacht Strategist Sent the Algorithm a CompassInterviews · Oct 16

At a glance

First reported by Al Jazeera: “Meta employees say Lula’s accounts restricted in Brazil election: Report”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 10:47 PM ET on Late Night BBN, by Chip Darnell.
Topics: Lula, Brazil, Meta.
BBN covered this story before: Lula backs age 16 for heinous crimes as Brazil run-off tightens (October 16).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Al JazeeraMeta employees say Lula’s accounts restricted in Brazil election: Report

What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorEmployee messages reported by the Brazilian paper Folha say Meta hindered Lula's accounts during the election, while recommending Bolsonaro's profile and his WhatsApp channel.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWith us is Tobias Marchetti-Vance, a reputation strategist, from a yacht.
Tobias Marchetti-VanceChip, full transparency, I love this story.
Tobias Marchetti-VanceBeing hindered is just a quiet chapter before the great comeback, and nobody has had a quieter chapter than Lula.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorLet me ask you plainly. Employees say his accounts were restricted and the other side's channel was pushed. So what does that actually mean?
Tobias Marchetti-VanceChip, a problem is a comeback that hasn't hired me yet. And full transparency, my firm did send the platform a proposal in July.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorA proposal for what?
Tobias Marchetti-VanceWellness for algorithms.
Tobias Marchetti-VanceFull transparency, it was mostly a spa day for the recommendation feed, with a tasteful logo, and they said the feed was already relaxed.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd Bolsonaro's profile got recommended. Does his side owe anyone a thank-you basket?
Tobias Marchetti-VanceFree casting, Chip. Nobody sends a basket to the sun for rising.
Tobias Marchetti-VanceThough full transparency, I did send one to the feed, with a small compass inside.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorYou sent the algorithm a compass.
Tobias Marchetti-VanceA gold one, like this. It always points to the narrative. Mine has been pointing at Monaco since Tuesday, and I'm not complaining.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo you pitched the platform, you're pitching the politician, and you're pitching me. Who exactly are you working for tonight?
Tobias Marchetti-VanceWhoever has the best view, Chip. Full transparency, right now it's the view of this yacht, and the yacht is available for a runoff.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorLast question. Does that compass point to the truth?
Tobias Marchetti-VanceIt points wherever the yacht is going, and tonight the yacht is going to dinner.