Elections 2026 will be a decisive moment for Brazil’s democracy, taking place in a context marked by the global rise of disinformation, attacks on electoral institutions, and new challenges posed by digital platforms and Aritificial Intelligence.

 

Over the past years, NetLab UFRJ has become a national and international reference in studies on platform transparency and governance, political communication, digital manipulation, and the dynamics of online advertising during electoral periods. Its research has helped unveil how political and economic actors use digital platforms to target voters, shape narratives, and influence the information environment, while also exposing the lack of accountability of social media platforms in the Global South.

 

The laboratory’s findings have informed public debates, policy discussions, and regulatory initiatives aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the digital ecosystem. They have also been featured in major media outlets and published in leading academic journals.

 

This page compiles NetLab UFRJ’s studies, reports, and analyses related to elections, covering topics such as political disinformation, platform governance, electoral manipulation, and the use of data-driven advertising in campaigns.

 

These works reveal how information dynamics shape the democratic process and reaffirm NetLab UFRJ’s commitment to producing rigorous, independent research to strengthen institutions and promote trustworthy digital communication.