US Senate to question tech leaders on election security

Tech industry leaders from some of the world’s most influential companies, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Adobe, are set to testify before the US Senate Intelligence Committee on 18 September. The hearing will focus on the growing threats to election security, particularly disinformation and misinformation, ahead of the closely watched 5 November election. As the nation prepares for a contentious face-off between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, US officials are eager to ensure the integrity of the electoral process by addressing the risks of false online narratives.

Executives like Alphabet’s global affairs president Kent Walker, Meta’s Nick Clegg, and Microsoft’s Brad Smith are no strangers to congressional scrutiny, having testified before lawmakers in previous election-related hearings. Their appearance next week underscores the ongoing concerns about how foreign actors, such as Russia, Iran, and China, may attempt to meddle in American elections by exploiting digital platforms. These countries have repeatedly denied any interference while simultaneously accusing the US of involving itself in their political affairs, claims that Washington dismisses.

The testimony from these tech giants is expected to shed light on how their platforms prepare to handle the threats of misinformation and foreign influence leading up to the election. With the stakes as high as ever in this tight political contest, the role of technology companies in safeguarding democracy will be front and centre.