Brazil's TSE orders removal of illegal boosted ads by PL and PT

Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) ruled that the Liberal Party (PL) and the Workers' Party (PT) violated electoral rules by paying to boost negative posts on Facebook and Instagram. The parties spent at least R$ 277 thousand, generating more than 39 million impressions. Of the 82 ads sponsored by the PL up to 24 June, 34 criticised President Lula and the PT, while the PT ran 76 ads targeting the Bolsonaro family.

Electoral law forbids paid amplification of criticism during the campaign and pre‑campaign periods. The court ordered the offending posts removed, prompting both parties to claim the cited content has been taken down voluntarily. The episode has sparked legal challenges from both sides and highlighted enforcement of Brazil's campaign‑finance regulations.