https://apnews.com/9bbd0191a4f249909f0c4f910bd902e8

SAO PAULO (AP) — The messaging service WhatsApp says it has sent "cease and desist" letters to stop companies from sending bulk messages related to Brazil's election and banned their accounts.

The actions come after a report that businessmen linked to leading far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro allegedly bankrolled a campaign that planned to spread fake news on WhatsApp to benefit his candidacy. His rival, Fernando Haddad, has asked Brazil's electoral court to investigate.