Rede X restricts candidate post suggestions in compliance with electoral law
Platform X informed that, starting last Sunday, August 16, 2026, it will no longer recommend profiles and publications of political candidates in its “For You” tab. This section, which suggests content based on users’ interests, will no longer include material from those running in the elections.
Impact on Platform X auto-recommendations
The measure, adopted by the social network, aims to comply with Brazilian electoral legislation. The objective is to avoid the automatic promotion of content and accounts of candidates seeking public office, in accordance with the guidelines of the Electoral Court.
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X’s decision in response to the demands of the Electoral Court
Platform X stated that the change came into effect along with the official start of the campaign period. The Electoral Court has clear rules that prohibit online services from boosting candidate accounts and posts, ensuring fairness in the election.
In a statement, the company explained the measure. “‘Official candidates are not suspended and their content will remain available on their profiles. This measure is expected to affect the visibility and reach of profiles and their content,'” platform X reported on August 14, 2026. This means that, although profiles and posts will remain visible, they will not have the organic boost that the algorithm normally offers.
What changes for candidate profiles in the digital environment
For candidates, the new rule implies a significant change in the way their digital campaigns are perceived by voters. They will not be able to rely on the X algorithm to automatically expand the reach of their messages, making it necessary to rely more on direct user interaction or other outreach strategies. This can lead to less spontaneous exposure of your proposals to those who do not actively search for political content.
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Algorithm update for the election campaign
To implement the restriction, company X revealed an updated version of its algorithm code, responsible for recommending content to users. This new code incorporates a specific filter for elections in Brazil, which excludes approximately 600 political accounts from the suggestions tab. This technical modification ensures that the measure is applied comprehensively to profiles registered as official candidates.
History of tensions between platform X and Brazilian authorities
The relationship between Elon Musk’s X platform and Brazilian authorities has faced moments of great tension in recent years. In 2024, for example, the social network was temporarily suspended in the country, following the consequences of court decisions.
- Frictions included:
- Office Closing:In August 2024, the company announced the end of its representation in Brazil.
- Allegation of threats:The platform alleged that Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), had threatened to arrest his legal representative if court orders were not complied with.
- Temporary suspension:After failing to comply with an order to appoint a new legal representative, Minister Moraes ordered the suspension of X throughout the national territory.
The platform was reactivated around 40 days later, but this history demonstrates the sensitivity of the company’s operations in Brazil, especially in relation to compliance with legislation and court orders. The current restriction measure on political content suggestions can be seen as a proactive effort to avoid new conflicts during the electoral period.
