TSE Warns of AI Disinformation, Moves to Set 2026 Election Rules

Overview

• Cármen Lúcia said technologically fabricated lies can capture voters’ free will and urged preventive action that identifies manipulation without violating freedom of expression.
• The TSE convened a seminar in Brasília to align electoral officials and oversight bodies on security, communication and disinformation ahead of the October vote.
• The court is gathering public input in early February on rules for AI use and content removal, with a proposal to maintain 2024 measures that ban deepfakes and require AI labeling.
• TSE cyber defense chief Marcelo Carneiro acknowledged there are not yet well‑established procedures to handle AI-generated fakes and called for cooperation from tech companies such as OpenAI.
• Federal Police director Andrei Passos Rodrigues outlined a three‑axis plan covering candidate protection, investigations into electoral crimes and organized groups, and threat monitoring, citing record operations and about R$30 million seized in 2024.