Brazil pushes electoral law overhaul to curb AI‑driven fake news

A public hearing organized by the Council of Social Communication (CCS) of Brazil's National Congress called for an update of electoral legislation and stronger oversight to prevent the spread of false information online ahead of the 2026 elections. Participants highlighted the risk that artificial‑intelligence tools such as ChatGPT pose for influencing campaign messages and noted recent attacks on the country's electronic voting system that could undermine public confidence.

CCS vice‑president Angela Cignachi warned that “publications on the internet are now also attacking the electoral process and the electronic voting system, directly affecting the credibility of the electronic ballot and the Electoral Justice.” Digital‑law specialist Diogo Rais argued that current statutes date back to the era of Orkut and must be revised to address generative AI, dynamic social‑media feeds, and content moderation. He stressed that electoral propaganda remains essential for democratic participation.

Maria Paula Almada of the Aláfia Lab pointed out that AI already forms part of the “information diet” for nearly 10 % of Brazilians, especially younger, higher‑income, and better‑educated users – 51 % of those aged 18‑29 have tried ChatGPT. She advocated for stronger media‑literacy programs and support for professional journalism to ensure reliable information in the digital space.