Google Announces Restrictions On US Election-Related Queries For Search, Chatbot

In a recent announcement on Tuesday, Alphabet’s Google unveiled plans to limit the scope of election-related queries that its chatbot Bard and search generative experience can respond to as the United States approaches the 2024 Presidential election. The implementation of these restrictions is scheduled to take effect by early 2024, as confirmed by the company.

Beyond the US, the year 2024 anticipates several pivotal elections, including the national elections in India, recognised as the world’s largest democracy, and in South Africa, among other nations.

Google emphasised its commitment to “increased focus on the role artificial intelligence (AI) might play” in serving voters and supporting campaigns associated with these forthcoming elections.

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In a parallel move, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced in November its decision to prohibit political campaigns and advertisers from regulated industries from utilising its new generative AI advertising products. Advertisers on Meta platforms are also mandated to disclose the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other digital methods when modifying or creating political, social, or election-related advertisements on Facebook and Instagram.

Conversely, Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter), currently under investigation by the European Union, declared in August that it would permit political advertising in the US from candidates and political parties. As part of this shift, X is expanding its safety and elections team in preparation for the upcoming US election. Notably, political advertisements have been globally banned on X since 2019.

Governments worldwide are actively advocating for AI regulation due to the perceived risks, such as the dissemination of misinformation. Big Tech firms are poised to confront new European Union rules, mandating clear labelling of political advertising on their platforms, along with disclosure of the financial backers, the amount spent, and the specific elections targeted by such advertisements.