Meta, the parent company of popular apps such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has declared its commitment to safeguarding global elections in 2024, asserting its status as the foremost tech entity investing in online election protection.
With over 40,000 personnel dedicated to election security worldwide, Meta disclosed a substantial investment exceeding $20 billion in fortifying election defenses through manpower and technological advancements.
South Africa's forthcoming general elections on May 29 have drawn Meta's attention, prompting the establishment of a specialized Elections Operations Centre tailored for the region. This initiative aims to swiftly detect and address potential threats as they arise during the electoral process.
In tandem with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), Meta has proactively engaged in preparations for the elections, leveraging the expertise of its expansive fact-checking network. This network operates across multiple languages including English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Sotho, and Setswana.
Meta's collaboration with fact-checking partners in South Africa has been further enhanced by streamlining content identification and rating processes related to the elections. Through keyword detection mechanisms, relevant content is consolidated for efficient fact-checking procedures.
In the lead-up to the election day, Meta plans to introduce dedicated features such as the 'Voter Information Unit' and 'Election Day Reminder' on both Facebook and Instagram platforms. These features aim to facilitate voter engagement and dissemination of crucial election-related information to users.
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