Click Here 169. Mic Drop: Election security? Slovakia’s cautionary tale
Sep 27, 2024
Tech giants face tough questions from the Senate about their efforts to prevent foreign interference in upcoming elections. A cautionary tale from Slovakia reveals the dangers of disinformation. With AI-generated deepfakes on the rise, the security of electoral integrity is more critical than ever. Executives stress their responsibility to counter misleading narratives and promote public awareness. There are urgent calls for transparency in how tech platforms handle foreign disinformation, emphasizing a collective need to protect democracy.
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Slovakia Deepfake Election Audio
- Just days before Slovakia's election, a deepfake audio appeared on Facebook claiming a party leader boasted about vote rigging.
- This tactic bore all signs of a Russian influence campaign and caused an electoral shock.
Kremlin False Hit and Run Video
- A Kremlin-connected group spread a false video accusing Kamala Harris of a hit and run, using fake local news websites.
- Microsoft exposed the video actor as paid and identified the site as newly created misinformation.
Handling Deepfakes Near Elections
- Firms plan to label deepfake content near elections and reduce its visibility in feeds.
- They also notify government foreign influence task forces to enhance public and official awareness.