Brazil’s Far-Right Disinformation Pushers Find a Safe Space on Telegram

In a social media ecosystem facing mounting pressure to combat fake news and polarization, Telegram is the most permissive disseminator of content — and disinformation.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Shortly after President Donald J. Trump was banned from Twitter early this year, Brazil’s like-minded leader made a plea to his millions of followers on the site.

“Sign up for my official channel on Telegram,” President Jair Bolsonaro requested.

Since then, Telegram, an encrypted messaging and social media platform run by an elusive Russian exile, has racked up tens of millions of new users in Brazil.