Reuters: Where U.S. presidential candidates stand on breaking up Big Tech. “Social media platforms are under particular scrutiny over their efforts to curb dissemination of misinformation and false claims, years after U.S. intelligence agencies said Russia used them to wage an influence operation aimed at interfering with the 2016 election. Moscow has denied the claim. Here are the leading presidential candidates’ positions on Big Tech.”
2020 elections
Rolling Stone: Hackers Are Coming for the 2020 Election — And We’re Not Ready
Rolling Stone: Hackers Are Coming for the 2020 Election — And We’re Not Ready. “Four years ago, for an embarrassingly modest price, Russia pulled off one of the more audacious acts of election interference in modern history. The Internet Research Agency, the team of Kremlin-backed online propagandists, spent $15 million to $20 million and wreaked havoc on the psyche of the American voter, creating the impression that behind every Twitter avatar or Facebook profile was a Russian troll. Russian intelligence agents carried out the digital version of Watergate, infiltrating the Democratic Party and the Clinton campaign, stealing tens of thousands of emails, and weaponizing them in the days and weeks before the election.”
Stars and Stripes: US CyberCom plans information warfare to counter Russian interference in the 2020 election
Stars and Stripes: US CyberCom plans information warfare to counter Russian interference in the 2020 election. “Military cyber officials are developing information warfare tactics that could be deployed against senior Russian officials and oligarchs if Moscow tries to interfere in the 2020 U.S. elections through hacking election systems or sowing widespread discord, according to current and former U.S. officials.”
National Association of Secretaries of State: NASS Launches #TrustedInfo2020: A Public Election Education Initiative
Another November release I missed, from the National Association of Secretaries of State: NASS Launches #TrustedInfo2020: A Public Election Education Initiative. “#TrustedInfo2020 encourages American citizens to look to their state and local election officials as the trusted sources for election information. Driving voters directly to election officials’ websites and verified social media pages will ensure voters are getting accurate election information, and cut down on the misinformation and disinformation that can surround elections.”
Mediapost: ‘The Washington Post’ Launches ‘Post Opinions Simulator’ Ahead Of 2020 Election
MediaPost: ‘The Washington Post’ Launches ‘Post Opinions Simulator’ Ahead Of 2020 Election. “The Washington Post wants to make the 2020 Democratic primary and caucus season a little more interactive for its readers with a new tool called the Post Opinions Simulator. Through a proprietary, mathematical predictive model, the simulator allows user to adjust data like polling averages, fundraising numbers and amount of time remaining until Election Day and position five candidates against each other.”
Phys .org: Report builds framework for ‘digital political ethics’ in 2020
Phys .org: Report builds framework for ‘digital political ethics’ in 2020. “With the 2020 elections looming and amid continuing concerns over social media’s role in U.S. politics, four top universities have published a comprehensive new report recommending how candidates, tech platforms and regulators can ensure that digital political campaigns promote and protect fair elections.”
New York Times: Don’t Tilt Scales Against Trump, Facebook Executive Warns
New York Times: Don’t Tilt Scales Against Trump, Facebook Executive Warns . “Since the 2016 election, when Russian trolls and a tsunami of misinformation turned social media into a partisan battlefield, Facebook has wrestled with the role it played in President Trump’s victory. Now, according to a memo obtained by The New York Times, a longtime Facebook executive has told employees that the company had a moral duty not to tilt the scales against Mr. Trump as he seeks re-election.”
