Expert Warns of Rising Threats of Misinformation in Elections 2024

As India gears up for the General Elections 2024 and the world for various elections, concerns over the integrity of democratic processes loom large. Shamla Naidoo, Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and Head of Cloud Strategy and Innovation at Netskope, sheds light on the pressing challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation. With the proliferation of AI-powered deepfake tools, Naidoo emphasizes the urgent need for vigilance and awareness among citizens to combat the spread of false information. In her commentary, Naidoo underscores the critical importance of ensuring the security of electoral mechanisms while acknowledging the robustness of current systems in safeguarding the voting process itself. 

However, she warns of the insidious threat posed by misinformation and disinformation campaigns, fueled by the rapid advancements in AI technology. "In this unprecedented year for global democracy, it is crucial that citizens and policymakers are confident that the mechanisms used to administer our elections are secure," says Naidoo. 

"From the registration process through to polling day itself, even in our most digitised electoral systems there are robust systems in place that make it extremely unlikely that any large-scale digital attack could influence the casting or counting of ballots directly." Naidoo highlights the alarming rise in the dissemination of false information within political discourse, both deliberate as disinformation and unintentional as misinformation. She cautions that the accessibility of deepfake AI tools poses a significant risk, enabling domestic and international bad actors to manipulate public opinion and undermine the credibility of candidates, parties, and campaigns. 

"In 2024, deepfake AI tools are readily accessible and can be a blunt but effective tool for domestic or international bad actors that are intent on impacting the reputation of a candidate, party or campaign," Naidoo states. Looking ahead, Naidoo stresses the need for education and awareness-raising efforts to empower citizens in discerning truth from falsehoods. She emphasizes that while technological solutions and regulations play a crucial role, individual responsibility in verifying sources and scrutinizing information is paramount in countering the spread of misinformation and disinformation. "We must all take responsibility to scrutinize the sources of our news, assume that there is a level of manipulation in the discourse and verify facts before sharing them more widely to avoid being a ‘useful idiot’ for those who wish to sow discord," Naidoo concludes.