Google’s initiatives to support the Indian General Election

Google has announced a series of initiatives aimed at supporting the democratic process and safeguarding its platforms from abuse during the upcoming Indian General Election. With millions of eligible voters heading to the polls, the tech giant recognizes its responsibility to connect users with reliable information and counter the spread of misinformation, including AI-generated content.

Easy access to voting information on Search and YouTube

Google’s primary focus during the election season is to provide easy access to authoritative information from trusted sources. The company has partnered with the Election Commission of India to showcase critical details on Google Search and YouTube, such as how to register and vote, in English and Hindi.

YouTube’s recommendation system will prioritize trusted content, and the platform’s homepage will prominently display election-related information. YouTube will also highlight content from trusted sources during key moments through its Top News and Breaking News sections, as well as a news watch page.

Google has set up information panels indicating funding sources from publishers that receive public or government funding and providing topical context for topics prone to misinformation.

Safeguarding misinformation

To protect the integrity of the electoral process and its platforms from abuse, Google has reinforced its existing policies. The company employs human reviewers and artificial intelligence models to identify and remove content that violates these policies. Google’s AI capabilities enhance its abuse-fighting efforts, enabling faster action against emerging threats.

Advertising during election campaigns

Google requires advertisers to undergo identity verification and provide necessary certifications from the Election Commission for election advertising. Election ads must include disclosures indicating the advertiser’s identity and location. Google maintains a searchable hub for all election ads, providing insights into advertisers and their spending.

Restricting AI-generated content

Google has taken steps to help identify AI-generated content through new tools and policies. The company has introduced disclosure requirements for election ads containing synthetic content and will soon require creators on YouTube to label realistic altered or synthetic content. The new ad policies prohibit the use of manipulated media to mislead people, like deepfakes or doctored content.

Google has implemented restrictions to Gemini on the types of election-related queries it will respond to and has prioritized the provision of high-quality information. Additional features aim to provide users with context and assess credibility, such as the “About this Image” tool in Search and digital watermarking for AI-generated images.

Furthermore, Google has joined the C2PA coalition, a cross-industry effort to provide transparency and context for AI-generated content. The company has deployed technology to counter harmful AI-generated content aimed at deceiving voters during the 2024 elections.