Press Release: Dozens of pro-Lula Instagram accounts already affected as Bolsonaro seeks restrictions on network of 1,500 ahead of Brazilian election
São Paulo / Brussels, October 10, 2026 — Repro Uncensored has already documented dozens of Instagram accounts affected by suspensions and restrictions involving supporters of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, including LGBTQI+ advocates, political commentators and civil society organizers, ahead of Brazil's presidential runoff election.
Now, presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro has filed a legal petition seeking the suspension and additional restrictions affecting a network of 1,525 profiles, including some already affected by platform censorship.
Repro Uncensored, together with Brazilian digital rights and LGBTQI+ organizations Livres Iguais and AthosGLS, warns that the convergence of existing platform restrictions and proposed judicial measures poses serious threats to freedom of expression, political participation and democracy in Brazil.
Filed on October 8 before Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE), the petition accuses a network of pro-Lula accounts of coordinating electoral disinformation. Bolsonaro's lawyers request the temporary suspension of 32 Instagram accounts, the removal of 221 publications, restrictions on collaborative posting and fines of up to R$100,000 per hour for noncompliance by platforms. The petition also identifies a broader network of 1,525 profiles. These measures are being sought through a legal petition and have not been established as court orders.
“The silencing of political voices in Brazil represents a direct assault on democracy, freedom of expression and civic participation. We are witnessing an alarming escalation of digital censorship, with accounts suspended, communities cut off from vital spaces for organizing, and political advocates facing growing intimidation ahead of a critical election. The consequences extend across society, disproportionately affecting LGBTQI+ communities, human rights defenders and those already facing discrimination. Against a backdrop of growing concerns over US interference in Brazil's electoral process, the stakes are even higher. US Big Tech companies must be held accountable for the role their platforms play in shaping democratic participation and must never become instruments of political censorship or foreign interference.”
“Democracy cannot be protected by silencing the voices that make democratic participation possible. The request to suspend 32 Instagram accounts and restrict a network involving more than 1,500 profiles ahead of Brazil's presidential runoff raises serious concerns about freedom of expression and digital rights. For LGBTQ+ communities and human rights defenders, social media is an essential space for visibility, civic participation and accountability.”
“My personal account has suffered a very severe restriction in reach. Today, one of my posts may receive around 70 likes, when I would normally get 10,000, 15,000 or even 20,000. To me, this shows how measures affecting accounts and profiles can have a very real impact on someone’s ability to communicate and participate in public debate. In a democracy, this needs to be treated with great care.”
“Brazil’s elections should be conducted in a free and open environment, with citizens and journalists able to safely criticize policies and candidates whom they disagree with. Without evidence of them breaking the Brazilian law, accounts should not be suspended or censored by governments, technology companies, or other powerful actors.”
Among those targeted is Brazilian political commentator and influencer Marcos Barretto (@umtalmarcosbarretto), who has spoken out about the growing climate of intimidation and its impact on political expression in Brazil.
“When my account, along with those of more than 1,500 people who use Instagram to inform Brazilians with responsibility and truth, is targeted by Flávio Bolsonaro in an attempt to silence and take down our accounts, it shows that there is a great setback and a great machinery of destruction being moved by them. We here in Brazil are living through moments of immense apprehension and fear, not knowing what comes next.”
The developments unfold amid broader concerns about possible US interference in Brazil's electoral process. Brazilian intelligence officials have reportedly warned of foreign influence, while US lawmakers have raised concerns about political and economic pressure from the Trump administration. No direct connection between these concerns and the October 8 petition has been established.
Repro Uncensored and the Brazilian organizations call on electoral authorities to uphold international human rights standards, including necessity, proportionality and due process, and on Meta to ensure transparency, meaningful appeals and safeguards against politically motivated restrictions.
About the Organizations
Repro Uncensored
Repro Uncensored is the leading global 501(c)(3) nonprofit documenting digital censorship and working across research, legal strategy, policy advocacy and cultural initiatives to protect freedom of expression. It has documented thousands of censorship cases across more than 50 countries and helped reinstate dozens of accounts reaching millions of people. Since spring 2026, the organisation has been pursuing legal action against Meta in the Netherlands as part of a broader strategy to advance legal and policy accountability and challenge systemic censorship alongside civil society organisations and policymakers.
AthosGLS
AthosGLS is an independent Brazilian LGBTQIA+ media outlet celebrating 29 years of journalism, with more than 25,000 published pages. Its website reaches approximately 519,000 monthly users, while its digital content generates around 24 million monthly views. Its official Instagram account has approximately 90,000 followers, reflecting its significant role in LGBTQIA+ journalism, visibility and freedom of expression in Brazil.
Livres Iguais
Livres Iguais is a Brazilian human rights and LGBTQIA+ platform founded in 2023, dedicated to promoting equality, dignity and freedom from discrimination. Through accessible, evidence-based information, the organization raises awareness of human rights, challenges discrimination and supports public understanding of LGBTQIA+ rights and social justice.
The Stringer Foundation
The Stringer Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit leading a global community of courageous journalists. Its Journalism SOS impact model provides reporters with missing financial stability, recognition and technological and mental safety. The Stringer Awards are the foremost global prize for journalists, recognizing courageous bodies of work irrespective of nationality, employment, or other discriminatory factors.
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