This fortnightly report by Control Risks highlights key incidents during the reporting period. We examine how these incidents play into the election interference trends we’re observing and their impact on Brazilian organisations and individuals.  

Election interference and disinformation incidents

  • Brazil, 03 October 2024 Brazil’s superior electoral court (TSE) released new regulation stating that any campaign content generated by AI is required to have a disclaimer acknowledging the use of AI. If candidates fail to include the disclaimer they may be disqualified from the election.

    Implications for elections: this regulation indicates Brazil’s government perceives AI is an effective tool to sway voters. Malicious actors will likely increase their use of deepfakes of politicians to sway voters or to jeopardize candidates running for election.

  • Brazil/U.S, 01 October 2024 Congressmen from the U.S republican party presented a bill to restrict financial and judicial co-operation between U.S agencies and Brazilian institutions including entities that combat disinformation in the country, due to Brazilian Justice Alexandre de Moraes decision to ban X and the perceived censorship he conducts.

    Implications for elections: If the bill passes, Brazilian government officials will feel increased financial and political pressure from the U.S to refrain from attacking U.S companies. 

  • Brazil, 29 September 2024 Brazilian President Lula released a statement condemning Israel’s activities in Gaza but purchased 36 ATMOS self-propelled gun systems and training simulators worth 190 mn USD from Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit.

    Implications for elections: this incident may cause voters on both sides of the conflict to spread misinformation about Brazil’s relationship with Israel and negatively impact President Lula’s relationship with Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

  • Russia, 27 September 2024 In one month of monitoring social media platforms the Coalition in Défense of Journalism (CDJor) documented over 37,000 derogatory posts targeting Brazilian journalists and press.

    Implications for elections: Brazilian social media users who perceive journalists to have a left-wing ideological agenda will likely continue to attempt to discredit Brazil’s largest media outlets especially when reporting on politically sensitive topics.

  • Brazil, 12 September 2024 Brazil hosted a joint training exercise with the US and China’s naval infantry and 3,000 Brazilian soldiers. The US delegation sent 56 soldiers while China only sent 33.

    Implications for elections: both the Chinese and US government will likely attempt to pressure Brazil to favour one side over the other given both countries are Brazil’s largest trading partners. Joint training exercises are an avenue for collection on key leadership allowing governments to influence decision makers using information and perspectives gathered from the joint exercises.
 

Social engineering awareness

  • Qiulong and Arcus Media ransomware groups are using phishing to breach organisations for double extortion ransomware attacks. 
  • The voice of Brazilian mayoral candidate, Antonio Furlan, was used to create a fake audio that were being shared to intentionally negatively impact Furlan’s reputation.
  • AI deepfakes of Brazilian pop star Anitta and football player Neymar are being used in Brazil to promote online gambling schemes.

Disinformation education

  • AI is likely to be used to create deepfakes of Brazilian politicians and will be spread through social media channels as second round elections get closer.

Social media monitoring

  • Social media users have expressed distrust on Brazil’s media organisations.
  • X has agreed to pay fines as well as comply with a Brazilian court order by paying the fines and selecting a representative in Brazil.
  • Users on various social media platforms believe that Brazil’s supreme federal court justice Alexandre de Moraes is abusing his power to illegally censor prominent politicians and journalists. 

Get in touch

Can our experts help you?