New York’s Democratic Attorney General recently sent a letter to major tech companies, urging them to take action to protect users from election “misinformation.” In her letter, AG Letitia James highlighted the increasing concern over misinformation in elections, particularly with the rise of generative AI, which has made it easier for bad actors to create and spread deceptive content.
James addressed her letter to 10 social media and AI companies, including Meta, Google, and OpenAI. She requested in-person meetings with these companies to discuss the “meaningful steps” they are taking to prevent the spread of election misinformation. While the letter did not explicitly mention any penalties for non-compliance, ABC News pointed out that a request from the state attorney general often carries the implication of potential enforcement actions.
The letter also emphasized the growing threat posed by AI-generated content, which has led to an increase in misleading videos on social media, some of which have targeted prominent figures like Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. James, known for her criticism of Trump, expressed concern that such content could cause confusion leading up to election day.
The influence of Big Tech on elections has become a contentious issue, particularly since the 2020 presidential election. The controversy was fueled when Twitter and Facebook restricted the spread of an article from the New York Post about Hunter Biden’s laptop, labeling it as misinformation. This action, which was later criticized, was seen by some as having potentially influenced the election outcome in favor of President Biden.
Hunter Biden’s laptop re-entered the spotlight earlier this year when it was introduced as evidence in a criminal trial. The FBI confirmed the laptop’s authenticity, countering earlier claims that it was “Russian disinformation.”
Critics argue that tech companies use their platforms to manipulate public opinion and influence election outcomes. The Heritage Foundation’s Hans von Spakovsky and Daniel Cochrane have pointed to the suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story as one of the most notable examples of this influence.