Lawmakers Question Meta and X on Lack of Rules for AI-Generated Political Deepfakes

Artificial intelligence-driven deepfakes have gained significant attention this year, primarily for their uncanny ability to make it appear as though celebrities are engaging in unusual actions. From Tom Hanks promoting dental plans to Pope Francis donning a stylish puffer jacket and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul lounging on the Capitol steps in a red bathrobe, these AI-generated deepfakes have captured the public’s imagination. However, as the upcoming U.S. presidential election looms, concerns are rising about their potential impact.

Google was the first major tech company to announce plans to introduce new labels for deceptive AI-generated political advertisements that could manipulate a candidate’s voice or actions. Now, several U.S. lawmakers are pressuring social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram to follow suit and explain why they have not taken similar measures.

Two Democratic members of Congress, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York, have penned a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X CEO Linda Yaccarino, expressing “serious concerns” about the emergence of AI-generated political ads on their platforms. They are seeking explanations regarding any rules these platforms are developing to mitigate the potential harm to free and fair elections.

Klobuchar, in an interview, emphasized the importance of transparency in this matter, stating, “They are two of the largest platforms, and voters deserve to know what guardrails are being put in place. We are simply asking them, ‘Can’t you do this? Why aren’t you doing this?’ It’s clearly technologically possible.”

The letter sent by Klobuchar and Clarke warns of the impending 2024 elections and the dangers posed by a lack of transparency in political ads featuring AI-generated content. Such content could lead to a flood of election-related misinformation and disinformation on these platforms, where voters often seek information about candidates and issues.

As of now, neither X nor Meta has responded to these requests for comment. Clarke and Klobuchar have set an October 27 deadline for the executives to provide their responses.

These actions by lawmakers come as part of a broader effort to regulate AI-generated political ads. Clarke introduced a House bill earlier this year that would amend federal election law to mandate labels for election advertisements containing AI-generated images or videos. Klobuchar is sponsoring a companion bill in the Senate.

Google has already announced that starting in mid-November, it will require clear disclaimers on any AI-generated election ads that alter individuals or events on YouTube and other Google platforms. While Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, does not have a specific rule for AI-generated political ads, it does have policies restricting the use of “faked, manipulated, or transformed” audio and imagery for misinformation.

A bipartisan Senate bill, co-sponsored by Klobuchar and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, aims to go further by banning “materially deceptive” deepfakes related to federal candidates, with exceptions for parody and satire.

AI-generated ads have already made their way into the 2024 election, including one aired by the Republican National Committee that depicts a dystopian future if President Joe Biden is reelected. Such ads could potentially be banned under the proposed Senate bill.

Klobuchar highlighted the need for these regulations, stating that misleading deepfake content during a presidential race could have a significant impact on voters’ perceptions. As the debate over AI-generated political ads continues, lawmakers are navigating the complex balance between free speech rights and the prevention of misleading information.

Clarke’s bill, if passed, would empower the Federal Election Commission to enforce a disclaimer requirement on AI-generated election ads, similar to Google’s current practice. The FEC has taken steps towards regulating AI-generated deepfakes in political ads, opening a public comment period on a petition brought by the advocacy group Public Citizen, which ends on October 16.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about AI-generated deepfakes

More about AI-generated deepfakes

• Google to Label Deceptive AI-Generated Political Ads
• Details on Clarke’s House Bill for AI-Generated Political Ad Labels
• Bipartisan Senate Bill on Banning Deceptive Deepfakes
• FEC’s Potential Role in Regulating AI-Generated Political Deepfakes
• Impact of AI-Generated Political Deepfakes on the 2024 Election
• Lawmakers’ Goals in Regulating AI-Generated Political Deepfakes