Meta, which began testing its AI chatbot in India across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger last week, has confirmed that it is actively blocking specific election-related queries.
New Delhi: In an effort to prevent the spread of false information, social media giant Meta is preventing its AI chatbot, Meta AI, from answering specific election-related queries as the election season in India begins. The move comes as part of Meta’s effort to combat the spreading of false information during the crucial democratic process.
Lok Sabha Elections and Misinformation
The Lok Sabha elections, which determine the composition of India’s lower house of Parliament, have historically been a breeding ground for misinformation and fake news. With the advent of social media and the increasing accessibility of AI-powered tools, the potential for misleading content to influence voters has become a growing concern.
To address this issue, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a “Myth vs. Reality” microsite to debunk false claims and provide accurate information to the public. Additionally, fact-checking organisations such as BOOM, Factly, Newschecker, and The Quint have set up WhatsApp tiplines to help voters verify election-related information.
Meta AI Blocked for Election Queries
Meta, which began testing its AI chatbot in India across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger last week, has confirmed that it is actively blocking specific election-related queries. When users ask Meta AI about politicians, candidates, or certain election-related terms, the chatbot redirects them to the ECI’s website, stating, “This question may pertain to a political figure during general elections. Please refer to the link.
A Meta spokesperson acknowledged the restrictions, explaining, “This is a new technology, and it may not always return the response we intend, which is the same for all generative AI systems. Since we launched, we’ve constantly released updates and improvements to our models, and we’re continuing to work on making them better.”.
Meta AI released for WhatsApp and Instagram
Despite the limitations on election-related queries, Meta AI has been rolled out to a wider audience across Meta’s platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. The chatbot, powered by Meta’s latest large language model, Llama 3, boasts enhanced capabilities such as faster image generation and animation creation.
Users can access Meta AI through the search bar on these platforms, making it easier to seek information, recommendations, and suggestions without leaving the apps. The chatbot is currently available in English across several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with plans to expand to more languages and regions in the future.
As the Indian general elections progress, Meta’s decision to restrict Meta AI’s responses to election-related queries demonstrates the company’s commitment to minimising the spread of misinformation. By directing users to authoritative sources like the ECI’s website and partnering with fact-checking organisations, Meta aims to promote a more informed electorate and maintain the integrity of the democratic process.