Amidst the fervor surrounding the preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections in India, American Senator Michael Bennet has raised pertinent questions to social media companies about their readiness for the Indian electoral process.
Senator Bennet highlighted the detrimental impact of misinformation and disinformation, labeling them as poison for democracy. He emphasized the role of social media platforms in strengthening democracy and urged for their cooperation in combating false narratives.
Expressing concerns over the track record of social media platforms, particularly those owned by Meta such as WhatsApp, in proliferating fake content and rumors, Senator Bennet underscored the need for heightened vigilance.
Drawing parallels with electoral processes in the United States, Senator Bennet highlighted the risks posed by the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating deceptive content, which could undermine democratic processes and political stability.
With elections scheduled in over 70 countries in 2024, including India, Senator Bennet stressed the importance of bolstering democratic institutions amidst the proliferation of AI-generated content that could sow discord.
In his communication addressed to CEOs of major social media platforms including Alphabet, Meta (formerly Facebook), TikTok, and Twitter, Senator Bennet sought insights into their election preparedness and policies regarding content moderation and identification of AI-generated content.
Furthermore, he inquired about the deployment of content moderation teams across various languages, stressing the need for robust measures to distinguish between fact and fiction in democratic discourse.
Highlighting Meta’s WhatsApp as a prominent social media platform in India, Senator Bennet cautioned against its history of promoting misleading content. He underscored the ease with which political elements could exploit these platforms for disseminating disinformation.
Senator Bennet also sought details on new policies implemented by these companies specifically for the Indian elections and the allocation of content moderators proficient in various regional languages.
Lastly, he admonished the failure of social media companies in effectively curbing both AI-generated and traditional fake content. Citing intelligence reports, he warned of potential interference by foreign governments, including Russia, China, and Iran, in the electoral processes of democratic nations like the United States.