Electoral Court orders Celina Leão supporter to stop sharing manipulated video of Leandro Grass

The determination applies to messaging applications, social networks and other platforms. The decision was made by assistant judge Carlos Alberto Martins Filho, of the Regional Electoral Court of the Federal District (TRE-DF).

The lawsuit was filed by the DF People's Coalition, which stated that the video was published in a WhatsApp group on October 9, at 10:02 am.

According to the representation, the initial seconds feature a real speech by Grass, but, from six seconds onwards, audio created with artificial intelligence was inserted to simulate the candidate's voice.

The material attributes to the candidate statements about an alleged sentence of eight years of ineligibility for spreading fake news, civic-military schools and the distribution of the so-called "gay kit" in schools. The video would also attribute to Grass statements of support for Agnelo Queiroz's government and opposition to the construction of the Bible Museum in Brasília.

The coalition further alleged that the video presented no warning or identification that the content had been manufactured or manipulated by artificial intelligence. In the action, he asked that the man be prevented from continuing to disseminate the material and requested a daily fine of R$10,000 in case of non-compliance.

When analyzing the request, the judge considered that the requirements for immediate intervention by the Electoral Court were present. According to the decision, the elements presented in the process indicate, at this initial stage, that an artificial intelligence resource was used to reproduce Grass's voice and attribute statements to him that he would not have made.

The judge stated that the case is not, in principle, just about the editing of a real speech or political criticism. For the judge, what appears in the records is the use of technology to create a non-existent manifestation and give it the appearance of authenticity.

The decision cites Resolution No. 23,610/2019 of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), which prohibits the use of synthetic content in audio or video produced or digitally manipulated through deepfake to harm or favor a candidacy.

The judge also considered the risk caused by the circulation of the video during the electoral period. According to the decision, the content is artificially attributed to a candidate running for Government of the Federal District at a time close to the second round of the 2026 elections.

The Court also ordered Claro to provide the address of the owner of the telephone line indicated in the process. After identifying the address, the person represented must be summoned to present a response to the action. The process will then be forwarded to the Electoral Public Ministry for an opinion.