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Safeguarding democracy: Strategies to combat disinformation in electoral contexts

Disinformation during elections is a growing threat to democracy and human rights, according to a global panel of experts who convened at the Internet Governance Forum 2024 in Riyadh to discuss this issue. Giovanni Zagni, director of Pagella Politica and Facta.news, highlighted the European Union’s approach with its voluntary Code of Practice on Disinformation, which has 34 signatories, including major tech platforms.

The collaborative strategy contrasts with stricter regulatory models, raising questions about the balance between platform accountability and government intervention. Juliano Cappi from the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee underscored the importance of digital sovereignty and public infrastructure, introducing concepts like ‘systemic risk’ and ‘duty of care’ in platform regulation.

Collaboration among stakeholders was a recurring theme, with experts stressing the need for partnerships between fact-checkers, tech companies, and civil society organisations. Nazar Nicholas Kirama, president of the Internet Society Tanzania (ISOC Tanzania) called for platforms to adopt transparent algorithms and assume greater accountability, comparing their influence to that of electoral commissions.

However, Cappi warned about the risks of bias in platforms’ business models and advocated for a ‘follow the money’ approach to trace disinformation campaigns. Aiesha Adnan, co-founder of the ‘Women in Tech Maldives’ and Poncelet Ileleji from the Information Technology Association of the Gambia emphasised media literacy and grassroots empowerment as crucial tools, calling for initiatives like UNESCO-backed fact-checking and community radio programs to counter misinformation.

The tension between regulation and free speech was a central point of debate. While some participants, like Zagni, noted the challenge of addressing disinformation without infringing on freedoms, others warned against government overreach.

Adnan highlighted smaller nations’ unique challenges, urging for culturally sensitive interventions and localised strategies. The session closed with a call for global cooperation and continued dialogue to safeguard democratic processes while respecting diverse regional contexts and fundamental rights.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

EU orders TikTok to freeze election-related data in Romania

The European Union has directed TikTok to retain data related to Romania’s elections under the Digital Services Act, citing concerns over foreign interference. The move follows pro-Russia ultranationalist Calin Georgescu’s unexpected success in the presidential race’s first round, raising alarm about coordinated social media promotion.

Declassified documents revealed TikTok’s role in amplifying Georgescu’s profile via coordinated accounts and paid algorithms, despite his claim of no campaign spending. Romania‘s security agencies have flagged these efforts as ‘hybrid Russian attacks,’ accusations Russia denies.

TikTok stated its cooperation with the EU in addressing concerns and pledged to establish facts amid allegations. Romania’s runoff presidential vote is seen as pivotal for the country’s EU alignment.

Tensions rise over alleged election interference in Romania

Romania has been subjected to ‘aggressive hybrid Russian attacks’ during a series of recent elections, according to declassified documents from the country’s security council. The revelations come ahead of a presidential runoff between pro-Russian far-right candidate Calin Georgescu and pro-European centrist Elena Lasconi. Georgescu’s unexpected rise, attributed in part to coordinated promotion on TikTok, has raised alarms in this European Union and NATO member state.

Romanian intelligence reported over 85,000 cyber attacks exploiting vulnerabilities, including the publication of election website access data on Russian cybercrime platforms. The attacks persisted on election day and beyond, with officials concluding they stemmed from resources typical of a state actor. Russia has denied any involvement in the election.

If Georgescu wins, his anti-NATO stance and opposition to aiding Ukraine could isolate Romania from Western allies, marking a significant geopolitical shift. The alleged cyber campaigns have intensified concerns about election integrity in the region, drawing attention to the role of foreign interference in shaping democratic outcomes.

Romania plans TikTok suspension over election concerns

Romania‘s telecoms regulator is set to initiate steps to suspend TikTok, citing potential interference in the recent presidential election. Pavel Popescu, the regulator’s deputy head, announced plans to begin the suspension process on Thursday. The action will remain in place until state authorities conclude their investigation into allegations of electoral manipulation linked to the platform.

The scrutiny comes after TikTok‘s role in Sunday’s election raised concerns about misinformation and influence. Officials are prioritising transparency and security during the ongoing electoral process.

The decision underscores the increasing global attention on social media platforms’ influence on democratic processes.

Nvidia stock hits record $3.65T as Trump’s election win fuels tech rally

Nvidia’s stock surged to new highs on Thursday, pushing its market value to an unprecedented $3.65T, fueled by a broad rally following Donald Trump’s presidential election win. Investors, optimistic about potential tax cuts and deregulation under the renewed Republican administration, helped boost Nvidia shares by 2.2%, establishing the AI chipmaker as the most valuable company worldwide, surpassing Apple’s previous record of $3.57T.

Since the beginning of November, Nvidia’s stock has climbed 12%, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s leadership in artificial intelligence technology. Demand for Nvidia’s AI chips from tech giants like Microsoft and Google has kept its growth momentum strong, with analysts expecting Nvidia to report an 80% revenue increase to $32.9B in the upcoming quarterly results.

As the tech sector overall continues to benefit from Trump’s anticipated policies, Nvidia’s valuation has also outpaced the combined worth of industry heavyweights such as Walmart, JPMorgan, and UnitedHealth. This significant milestone highlights Nvidia’s dominant role in the AI chip industry amid intense competition to build computing power for AI applications.

Cybersecurity chief confirms US election integrity amid disinformation

The head of US cybersecurity, Jen Easterly, announced Monday that, despite an increase in disinformation targeting the 2024 presidential election, there has been no evidence of interference capable of affecting the election outcome. Easterly noted the unprecedented levels of false information spreading across online platforms, much of which has been attributed to foreign actors aiming to sow division among voters.

US authorities have pointed to Russia as one of the primary sources of election-related disinformation, including a widely circulated fake video in Georgia showing an immigrant falsely claiming to have voted multiple times. Officials say that similar tactics are expected to continue beyond Election Day, targeting trust in the electoral process through to January.

Easterly assured voters that election security is stronger than ever, thanks to enhanced protective measures and improved preparedness across voting jurisdictions. Her message emphasised the government’s ongoing commitment to maintaining safe, secure, and reliable elections for all Americans.

US crypto industry anticipates regulatory shift after election

The cryptocurrency industry is bracing for a shift in US regulatory policy, with leaders expecting a more favorable approach from Washington, regardless of the next administration. After years of regulatory tension under President Joe Biden’s administration, crypto companies are optimistic that the incoming administration will adopt a more supportive stance toward digital assets. Notable crypto firms, including Bitwise and Canary Capital, are actively developing new products, and other companies are preparing fresh pushes for pro-crypto legislation in Congress.

Both presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, have expressed openness toward the digital asset industry. Trump has even pledged to become a “crypto president,” while Harris, though less specific, has shown support for digital innovation and investor protection, which many industry leaders interpret as a potential shift in regulatory tone. This perspective is reinforced by Harris supporter Mark Cuban, who recently emphasised her promise to protect crypto users.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), led by Chair Gary Gensler, has taken a strict stance on crypto assets, citing risks illustrated by cases like FTX’s collapse. Gensler’s tenure has involved multiple enforcement actions against major crypto exchanges, creating a challenges for digital assets. However, crypto executives believe that a new administration could bring changes, including potentially overturning regulatory guidance that has deterred financial institutions from crypto involvement.

US Senate scrutinises tech giants’ preparedness against foreign disinformation ahead of elections

On 18 September 2024, US Senate Intelligence Committee members questioned top tech executives from Google, Microsoft, and Meta about their plans to combat foreign disinformation ahead of the November elections. The executives, including Microsoft’s Brad Smith and Meta’s Nick Clegg, acknowledged the heightened risk during the 48 hours surrounding Election Day, with Smith emphasising the period as particularly vulnerable. Senator Mark Warner echoed this concern, noting that the time immediately after the polls close could also be crucial, especially in a tight race.

During the hearing, lawmakers discussed recent tactics used by foreign actors, including fake news websites mimicking reputable US media outlets and fabricated recordings from elections in other countries. Senators pressed the tech companies for detailed data on how many people were exposed to such content and the extent of its promotion. While the companies have adopted measures like labeling and watermarking to address deepfakes and misinformation, they were urged to enhance their efforts to prevent the spread of harmful content during this sensitive period.

Crypto donations welcome at Kamala Harris super PAC

A major super political action committee (PAC) supporting US Vice President Kamala Harris in her presidential campaign, Future Forward PAC, will now accept cryptocurrency donations. Coinbase confirmed that the PAC has partnered with its commerce platform to facilitate crypto contributions ahead of the upcoming election in November, where Harris faces former President Donald Trump in a closely contested race.

Although Harris has not yet publicly taken a stance on cryptocurrencies, her campaign team has engaged with leading crypto firms like Coinbase and Ripple. Trump’s campaign, meanwhile, has been courting crypto donors by promising policies friendly to the sector, while Harris’ adviser, Brian Nelson, hinted at support for emerging technologies, a positive signal for the crypto industry.

Crypto companies are making contributions to pro-crypto candidates across both political parties through super PACs, focusing on congressional races. Meanwhile, a Washington fundraiser is set to raise $100,000 for Harris, with the crypto community calling for a softer regulatory approach.

Super PACs are allowed to raise unlimited funds to support candidates but are prohibited from directly contributing to campaigns or political parties, positioning Future Forward PAC as a key player in Harris’ electoral bid.

AI deepfakes raise doubts in crucial US election

As the US election draws near, the proliferation of deepfake content is raising serious concerns about its impact on undecided voters. Deepfakes—AI-generated images, videos, or audio clips—pose a significant threat to the democratic process by making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish between reality and fiction. This issue was recently highlighted when Donald Trump falsely claimed that a large crowd welcoming Vice President Kamala Harris in Detroit was an AI fabrication, despite evidence proving the event’s authenticity.

Trump’s unfounded allegations and the spread of misleading deepfake content by his supporters are not just problematic for those who are firmly in his camp, but for undecided voters. These voters, who are critical to the outcome of the election, may struggle to discern the truth amidst a flood of manipulated media. This erosion of trust in what is real and what is fabricated undermines a key pillar of democracy and creates fertile ground for anti-democratic forces to gain power.

The growing prevalence of deepfakes and other digital misinformation strategies is expected to intensify in the run-up to the election. Already, Trump supporters have circulated a clearly AI-generated image, falsely claiming it was promoted by the Harris campaign. Such tactics aim to blur the lines between truth and falsehood, turning the election discourse away from verifiable facts and towards a chaotic environment where nothing can be trusted.

Experts warn that unless decisive action is taken, deepfake content will continue to compromise the integrity of the democratic process. The European Union has expressed similar concerns about the role of deepfakes in elections, highlighting the global scale of the problem. In the US, the spread of political spam and digital misinformation has surged as the 2024 election approaches, further complicating the landscape for voters.