Meta Approves Fake AI-Generated Political Ads Paid From US, Targeting Brazilian Audience, Study Finds
Meta approved political ads containing AI-generated false election information, targeting a Brazilian audience and paid for by a US account, according to a study by British organization Eko. Of the 15 ads submitted, which violated TSE (Superior Electoral Court) rules, 13 (87%) were approved by Instagram and Facebook's automated moderation system, although none were shown to users.
Among the approved content was an AI-generated image of TSE President Kassio Nunes Marques saying the election date had changed, and another showing Donald Trump urging voters to vote for Flávio Bolsonaro (PL). Neither included an AI disclosure nor was classified as electoral content, as required by Brazil's electoral authorities.
The TSE bars ads purchased from abroad or by third parties, allowing only electoral advertising purchased directly by candidates or parties. "Brazil is already on maximum alert over the threat of the US trying to interfere in this election, but even so, Meta is giving the green light to ads from a US account that incite a coup modeled on the 'Stop the Steal' movement (attacks on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021)," said Vicky Wyatt, Eko's campaigns director.
Meta said it "reinforces its commitment to protecting the electoral process on our platforms."
