Meta Fortifies Safeguards for EU Parliament Elections in 2024

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In the lead-up to the European Union Parliament elections of 2024, Meta is reaffirming its commitments and unveiling comprehensive measures to guarantee the integrity of the democratic process. Recognizing the paramount importance of trustworthy and transparent elections, the organization is mobilizing a significant response to emerging challenges and potential threats to electoral security.

Dedicated Operations and Fact-Checking Expansion

Meta is poised to activate a specialized Elections Operations Center, engineered to pinpoint and neutralize risks in a dynamic fashion, harnessing the expertise of an interdisciplinary team from across the company's data science, engineering, intelligence, and legal departments. This assembly of minds is committed to maintaining a real-time vigil against any compromise to our platforms' integrity.

Parallel to this endeavor, Meta has broadened its already extensive fact-checking network with the addition of three new European partners stationed in Bulgaria, France, and Slovakia. Enlisted in the fight against misinformation, this initiative amplifies Meta's resolve to maintain a truth-based narrative within the public domain and underscores our extensive preparations for the upcoming electoral cycle.

Innovative Responses to Modern Technological Challenges

Meta's proactive posture also involves addressing the innovative technologies that shape the future of communication. GenAI, a prominent figure in the evolving landscape of AI, demands a balanced approach that weighs advancement with ethical responsibility. In line with this, Meta endorses the tech accord to counteract deceptive AI-generated content, a pledge that reflects the company's commitment to corporate conscientiousness.

Comprehensive Readiness

The organization's preparations derive lessons from the oversight of more than 200 global elections since 2016, with the existing regulatory framework of the Digital Services Act and the stature of the EU Code of Practice on Disinformation guiding our strategies. These principles have channeled Meta's investments, technology, and human expertise to make a decisive impact on electoral protections.

A testament to these efforts, Meta has allocated upwards of $20 billion to safety and security initiatives and has quadrupled its global team dedicated to these concerns to about 40,000 personnel. This formidable assembly includes 15,000 content reviewers skilled in more than 70 languages, encompassing all 24 official languages of the European Union.

Protective Measures for a Robust Democratic Process

Understanding the threats posed by misinformation, Meta executes stringent removal protocols for the gravest categories, such as those inciting violence or aiming to undermine the act of voting. The extensive fact-checking program, now encompassing 26 European partners operating across 22 languages, represents the frontline in preserving informational accuracy on our platforms.

In defense of fair and informed voter participation, Meta curtails the reach of devalidated content and reduces its visibility through strategic Feed placement. In the last half of 2023 alone, over 68 million pieces of content were surfaced with fact-checkers' disclaimers, deterring 95% of potential viewership at the point of exposure.

Ahead of the elections, Meta's efforts will escalate to assist fact-checking affiliates in effectively identifying and assessing election-related content, incorporating advanced search capabilities to ensure a rapid response during critical breaking news moments.

Ethical Advertising Standards and Media Literacy

Meta sustains a vigilant review of advertisements to intercept any that dissuade electoral participation, question the legitimacy of voting procedures and outcomes, or prematurely proclaim electoral victories. This multi-faceted scrutiny is outlined in detail on our platform, emphasising transparency and accountability in our advertising policies.

Furthermore, Meta cooperates with the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) to enhance fact-checkers' acumen in scrutinizing AI-generated and digitally altered media. This partnership extends to a media literacy campaign aimed at educating the public in discerning sophisticated falsities.

Meta's unwavering stance on election integrity acknowledges the trust placed in us by the communities we serve. Through meticulous preparation, investment in technology, and an unbridled commitment to ethical standards, we align our efforts to support a fair, free, and factual electoral experience for all European Union citizens.

Why You Should Care

In an era marked by the proliferation of digital communication platforms, the sanctity of the electoral process is increasingly susceptible to the corrosive effects of misinformation and manipulation. Meta's expansive initiatives represent more than a corporate responsibility; they are a bulwark against the erosion of democratic norms and the preservation of public trust in electoral outcomes. For policymakers, stakeholders, and the electorate, understanding and supporting these safeguards is paramount. The integrity of elections is fundamental to the functioning of democracies and the legitimacy of their governing bodies. Meta's forward-looking approach, combining technological innovation with rigorous ethical standards, sets a precedent for how digital platforms can and should contribute to safeguarding the democratic process. This commitment reflects an understanding that the health of democracies worldwide hinges not only on the actions of individuals and governments but also on the corporate citizens that shape our digital landscape. Hence, this discussion transcends mere corporate policy, touching the very core of civic engagement and the collective endeavor to foster a fair, transparent, and informed society.

Source: https://about.fb.com/news/2024/02/how-meta-is-preparing-for-the-eus-2024-parliament-elections/

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