Meta has announced its partnership with South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to combat the potential weaponization of its platforms during the upcoming May 29, 2024 elections.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has provided extensive guidance to the IEC on leveraging social media platforms responsibly, conducting multiple training sessions to equip the Electoral Commission with the necessary tools.
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Specifically, Meta has assisted the IEC in deploying WhatsApp bots to disseminate critical election updates and relevant information to voters. Additionally, Meta has engaged with political parties and parliamentary committees to ensure they are well-prepared for the elections and understand how to utilize Meta’s tools effectively.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by the proliferation of new technologies like generative AI, Clegg reassured that Meta is actively implementing safeguards to address potential risks associated with these advancements. Despite minimal AI manipulation observed in previous elections, Meta remains vigilant against the possibility of election-disrupting misinformation campaigns.
In a collaborative effort with other tech companies, Meta has intensified its efforts to combat misinformation, leveraging advanced technologies to detect and mitigate synthetic content effectively.
The upcoming elections in South Africa mark a significant milestone, as independent candidates can now compete for national and provincial office, expanding the political landscape. Furthermore, the introduction of online voter registration for South Africans living abroad signifies a progressive step towards enhancing electoral accessibility.
However, the IEC has faced challenges, including data breaches exposing candidate lists of political parties, prompting an investigation by the country’s information regulator under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
Amidst these complexities, Meta remains committed to upholding the integrity of the electoral process and empowering voters with accurate information on its platforms.
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