According to the latest reports from Washington, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has recently renewed its warning to voters to be on the lookout for false election information and misleading films circulating on social media and other platforms.The FBI has stressed that such information may not only interfere with the election process, but also undermine the public’s trust in the integrity of the election. Against this backdrop, the FBI has set up a special election command post and has stepped up its efforts to monitor possible crimes during the election period to ensure that the election is transparent and secure.
FBI issues warning as false information proliferates
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, false election information on social media platforms is becoming more prevalent, especially misleading content related to the election voting and counting process.The FBI has noted that during elections in recent years, some inaccurate films and misinformation have spread rapidly through the Internet, causing voters to misunderstand the election process and even triggering social panic.
So far, there are two more false videos impersonating the FBI in an attempt to influence American voters. The U.S. presidential election debuted on 5 November, and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned the U.S. public on the same day to guard against the two latest fake videos, the content of which incorrectly cited terrorist threats and voter fraud. Government officials expect these false messages to intensify as voters head to the polls on Election Day.
In its latest statement, the FBI noted that certain fake election films were intentionally created and distributed with the intent to undermine voter confidence or incite violence. These videos include false allegations of vote manipulation, incorrect information about polling hours, and inaccurate reports of voting equipment malfunctions.
An FBI spokesperson said, ‘We are actively tracking all threats involving election security, especially those potential risks raised through false information and videos. We work closely with social media companies, state election officials and other relevant agencies to ensure the integrity of the election process.’
Election command post established to enhance surveillance
In response to the growing cyber information war, the FBI has established a dedicated Election Command Post to fully coordinate election security efforts nationwide. This command post will focus its resources on monitoring all types of election-related information and responding quickly when false content is detected.
The head of the Election Command Post said the centre will incorporate advanced technological tools to track the source of false information and work with state election commissions to ensure the correct information is disseminated to voters. In addition, the FBI plans to provide a special hotline for the public to report disinformation and other election offences during the election period.
Cooperating to combat disinformation
In its statement, the FBI noted that election disinformation is not just a law enforcement issue, but a collaborative challenge across agencies and sectors. In addition to working closely with social media platforms, the FBI is also working with local law enforcement agencies, technology companies, and experts in academia to use artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to screen and identify disinformation.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (now X), and Instagram have stepped up their content vetting and monitoring efforts and have pledged to increase their fight against disinformation during the election. In particular, the platforms will scrutinise more closely content that may affect the voting and counting process, and block or delete offending accounts.
Public vigilance and media responsibility
The FBI also specifically reminds the public to be vigilant and verify the authenticity of sources and content when confronted with any film or information about the election circulating on social media. The public should prioritise official election information and mainstream media reports and avoid trusting unconfirmed news.
Meanwhile, media organisations are also called upon to take greater responsibility during the election period to ensure that what is disseminated is accurate and fair. the FBI emphasised: ‘It is the responsibility of every citizen to ensure the transparency and security of the election process. We call on everyone to work together to uphold the integrity of the elections and resist the proliferation of disinformation.’
Conclusion
As Election Day approaches, the FBI has stated that it will continue to be on high alert to ensure that the election is safe and secure. Along the way, in addition to the proactive actions of law enforcement, the combined efforts of society as a whole, including the media, technology companies, and every citizen, are key to ensuring a fair and impartial election. The FBI has made it clear that it will take severe legal action against those who attempt to disrupt the election process through false information.
