PT files action against Flávio Bolsonaro's AI-generated deepfake video
The Brazilian Workers' Party filed a legal complaint with the electoral tribunal challenging an AI-generated deepfake video published by senator Flávio Bolsonaro showing him alongside Argentine president Javier Milei. The party argues the video violates electoral rules against deepfakes and forms part of a pattern of AI-generated campaign content associating the party with criminal organizations.
What happened
Flávio Bolsonaro published an AI-generated video showing him piloting a military fighter jet alongside Argentine president Javier Milei. The video compared the PT to the criminal faction Comando Vermelho and contained AI-generated images of Lula and first lady Janja.
The PT filed a complaint with the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE), arguing the video constitutes 'early campaign propaganda and use of deepfake to favor a pre-candidacy.' The party states that the watermark indicating AI use does not exempt the content from TSE deepfake regulations with 'objective prohibition,' and notes this is the third in a series of AI-generated videos published by Flávio.
Reported impact
The PT argues the video attempts to 'instill in the electorate the image of an absent president, wasteful and unaware of the country's problems.' The content associates criminal organizations with the party and uses fabricated images to falsely link the president to such groups.
Index analysis
The complaint highlights a pattern: Flávio's earlier AI videos linked the PCC and Comando Vermelho to the PT using deepfakes of Lula, Janja, and Fábio Luís Lula da Silva. The Federation Brasil da Esperança simultaneously filed complaints against deputies Coronel Meira and Sargento Portugal for an AI-generated image showing Lula wearing a 'CPX' cap surrounded by rifles.
Governance controls
The PT requests immediate removal of the video, a fine of R$ 90,000 against Flávio Bolsonaro, and an order prohibiting future publication of similar content. The TSE has receive multiple complaints regarding AI-generated political content in the pre-campaign period.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.