Brazil's PGR chief Paulo Gonet targets deepfakes, crime groups in 2026 election

Procurador‑Geral da República Paulo Gonet announced that the PGR will act immediately against the use of deepfakes – AI‑generated videos or audio that mimic real people – and against interference by criminal factions in Brazil’s 2026 elections. He said the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE) is also monitoring the situation and that a special working group has been created to support prosecutors.

Gonet warned that “the Brazilian state cannot coexist with parallel states mounted and directed by criminal organizations,” and emphasized the difficulty of distinguishing malicious AI‑generated content from legitimate material. He pledged rapid response whenever “there is an indication of a deepfake.”

He also noted the United States’ recent classification of Brazilian criminal factions as terrorist organizations, suggesting the designation could improve coordination among public agencies. Gonet stressed the PGR’s independence, stating it follows the pace of law rather than the speed of media, and criticized the growing trend of judicializing everyday conflicts.