As major elections draw near, Meta faces calls to urgently update its policy on deep fake content, according to an oversight body’s decision on Monday, which concerns a manipulated video involving US President Joe Biden.
Last year, a video circulated showing Biden voting alongside his adult granddaughter. The footage was altered to falsely suggest that he inappropriately touched her chest. Initially flagged as hate speech, the video was reported to Meta and subsequently reviewed by the company’s oversight board.
While the board acknowledged Meta’s decision to keep the video online, it also highlighted the inadequacy of the platform’s rules regarding manipulated content.
This warning comes amidst growing concerns about the widespread misuse of AI-driven applications for disinformation on social media platforms, especially in this crucial election year, not only in the United States but globally.
The board criticized Meta’s current policy as “incoherent” and lacking a clear rationale. It emphasized the need to focus on preventing specific harms, such as threats to electoral processes, rather than solely on the methods used to create content.
Meta responded by stating that it would review the Oversight Board’s recommendations and publicly address them within 60 days.
In the Biden case, the board noted that the video did not violate existing rules because it was not manipulated using artificial intelligence, nor did it depict Biden saying something he didn’t. However, the board pointed out that even non-AI-altered content can be misleading, citing the prevalence of “cheap fakes” created using basic smartphone editing tools.
Moreover, the board highlighted the policy’s current oversight of altered audio content, despite the potential for deep fake audio to deceive users effectively.
Instances like a US robocall impersonating Biden in New Hampshire, urging residents not to vote in the Democratic primary, underscore the urgent need for Meta to reassess its manipulated media policy, particularly with numerous elections scheduled for 2024.
