EU targets major tech platforms on GenAI risks ahead of elections

The 2024 European Parliament elections are scheduled for June.

New Delhi: Alarmed by the misuse of generative AI (GenAI) and deepfakes ahead of the elections, the European Commission on Thursday requested information under the Digital Services Act (DSA) from Microsoft Bing, Facebook, Google Search, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, and Elon Musk-run X.

The committee has asked Big Tech platforms to provide more information on measures to address risks associated with generative AI on their services, such as “hallucinations” where AI provides false information and the viral spread of deepfakes.

These internet platforms must provide the requested information to the Commission by April 3 for questions related to election protection.

“Bing, Facebook, Google Search, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube and and any negative consequences for the exercise of fundamental rights, for electoral processes, for mental well-being and for the protection of minors,” the commission said in a statement.

The 2024 European Parliament elections are scheduled for June.

The Commission has also asked the Big Tech platforms for information and internal documents on the risk assessments and mitigation measures related to the impact of generative AI on “electoral processes, dissemination of illegal content, protection of fundamental rights, gender-based violence, protection of minors and mental well-being”.

Based on the assessment of the responses, the Commission will assess the next steps.

“Under Article 74(2) of the DSA, the Commission may impose fines for incorrect, incomplete or misleading information in response to a request for information,” the report said.