Meta implements measures against false content in Australia election

Meta Platforms, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, announced on Tuesday that it will strengthen its measures to fight misinformation and deepfakes in Australia. This initiative comes as the country prepares for a national election scheduled for May. Meta's independent fact-checking program will help identify and eliminate false content. In a blog post, the company stated that any material that poses a risk of imminent violence or could disrupt voting will be removed. Cheryl Seeto, Meta's Head of Policy in Australia, explained that when content is fact-checked and found to be false, it will receive warning labels and its visibility will be reduced on the platforms. News agencies like Agence France-Presse and the Australian Associated Press will assist in reviewing content flagged by Meta. This announcement follows Meta's decision to relax its fact-checking policies in the U.S. earlier this year, responding to pressures from conservative groups. In addition to combating misinformation, Meta is also tackling deepfakes—realistic AI-generated videos, images, or audio. The company stated that any deepfake that violates its policies will be removed or labeled as "altered" to limit its reach. Users will also need to disclose when they share AI-generated materials. Opinion polls indicate a close election race in Australia, with the opposition coalition slightly leading over the ruling Labor party. Meta's actions align with its efforts to address misinformation in recent elections held in India, Britain, and the United States. Meta faces challenges in Australia, including government plans to levy fees on major tech firms for local news sharing. Additionally, the government requires social media companies to implement age restrictions, banning users under 16 by the end of this year. Meta is working with the government to finalize these regulations.