former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is under home confinement. A left-wing coalition backing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's re-election had accused Flavio of breaching the ban on using AI-generated replicas of real people in political campaigns. The Superior Electoral Court cleared the conservative candidate of wrongdoing in a five-to-two vote. Justice Kassio Nunes Marques explained the ruling by noting that the convention where the video was shown took place before the official start of the election season. The deepfake was screened in July as Flavio officially launched his candidacy, presenting the crowd with an endorsement from his father for October's elections. "This is a simulation of my image and voice created using artificial intelligence (AI). As everyone here knows, I am imprisoned and silenced by an unjust decision”, said the digital replica, before adding: "I ask you to welcome with open arms the person I chose to replace me — blood of my blood, my son Flavio." Jair Bolsonaro's lawyers said he never authorized use of the AI-generated video. The 71-year-old served several months in prison for attempting a coup before being transferred to home confinement in March for health reasons. He is barred from using social media, mobile phones, or making public statements. On July 13, the Supreme Court also barred Flavio from visiting his father until after the first round of the election, after he read out a handwritten letter from Jair on social media. The first round of the presidential election is scheduled for October 4, with recent polls showing Lula holding a slight lead. (Bssnews)