WhatsApp, Mobile Politics and Disinformation: How did Fake News Go Viral in the Brazilian Elections?

Resumen

This paper examines the role of WhatsApp as a vehicle for the dissemination of disinformation during the 2018 Brazilian presidential elections. Given WhatsApp's widespread adoption in Brazil—where over 120 million users rely on the platform—its use as a political mobilization tool has intensified. The study analyzes how the platform's encrypted, private network structure facilitated the large-scale spread of false information, contributing to the polarization of public opinion and influencing