Meta is launching a task force to tackle disinformation and AI-generated abusive content in the run-up to June’s EU elections.
Social media has plenty of power to influence voting documented. But the rapid rise of AI, which can generate “deepfake” images, text, and videos at the push of a button, is posing new problems. fear The technology will be used to interfere in major elections around the world this year.
Meta’s new “operations center”, led by a team of in-house intelligence experts, was established to “rapidly identify potential threats” and implement “real-time mitigation strategies”, said Marko, the company’s head of EU affairs.・Mr. Pancini said.
This announcement comes weeks after TikTok put out before thatReserves for this year’s EU elections It has the second highest number of democratic votes in the world after India.
Under the new EU framework, digital services law According to the (DSA), online platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, which average more than 45 million monthly users, are required to take measures against disinformation and election manipulation.
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What is Meta doing?
Meta announced that it would remove “content that could lead to imminent violence or physical harm, or that is aimed at suppressing voting” from its platforms Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
In addition to removing illegal content, Meta plans to expand its team of independent fact-checkers and add three new partners in Bulgaria, France, and Slovakia.
If content is “debunked” by these fact checkers, Meta will place a warning label and reduce the content’s distribution in the feed, reducing the likelihood that people will see it. The company claims that if one of these labels is placed on a post, 95% of people will view the post without clicking through.
“Ahead of the election period, we recognize that speed is especially important during breaking news, so we will ensure that all our fact-checking partners in the EU can find and rate election-related content,” Pancini said. Stated.
The threat of AI-generated content
As part of Meta’s efforts to address AI risks, we’re adding new features for users to disclose when sharing AI-generated video and audio. The company said it could also impose penalties for violations, but did not specify what those penalties would be.
Advertisers running ads related to social issues, elections, or politics on the Meta platform will also be required to disclose whether they use AI-generated photorealistic images, video, or audio.
Earlier this month, 20 technology companies signed the agreement, including Meta, Google, Microsoft, X, Amazon, and TikTok. pledge Crack down on AI content designed to mislead voters.
Companies are not We are committed to banning or removing deepfakes. Instead, the agreement outlines methods to be used to detect and label deceptive AI content as it is created or distributed on the platform.
The power of AI to disrupt elections is already gaining traction.
In the United States, Political ads run by the Republican Party last year I’m drawing The dystopian scenario if President Joe Biden is re-elected is a Chinese invasion that explodes in Taipei, a panic-inducing wave of migrants in the United States, and martial law in San Francisco.
In November, recording London Mayor Sadiq Khan circulated on social media. it is, armistice day The commemoration will be postponed so that a pro-Palestinian march can take place in its place.
Both the video and audio were fakes generated by AI. Khan then warned Deepfakes could sway a close UK election.
“The era of misleading and confusing deepfakes and AI-generated content has already begun,” said James Cleverley, the UK Home Secretary. times yesterday.
He warned that criminals and “malicious actors” acting on behalf of malicious states could use AI-generated “deepfakes” to hijack the general election.
The warning comes during the biggest election year in world history. It is estimated that 2 billion people will vote in national elections throughout 2024, including the UK, US, India, South Africa and 60 other countries.
