FBI to Resume Talks With Social Media Companies

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Facts

  • Ahead of the 2024 US presidential election, the FBI is set to resume regular talks with social media firms over 'potential [Foreign Malign Influence] threats' on their platforms, according to a draft Justice Department memo.[1]
  • The federal agency will reportedly make social media companies more aware of its new protocol for monitoring suspected foreign influence operations online.[1]
  • A report by Justice Department Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz last month asserted that agencies must speak with tech firms on such influence campaigns but that safeguards were needed to avoid risks to freedom of expression.[2]
  • The report cautioned that the FBI may not be prepared to tackle artificial intelligence-powered disinformation campaigns, which could make use of deepfakes and other techniques. Deepfakes are AI-generated videos which can make people appear to be saying or doing things they actually haven't.[3]
  • Federal agencies had previously stopped interacting with firms like Meta and YouTube in the wake of allegations that the government was curbing online dissent. In June, however, SCOTUS ruled against First Amendment challenges to the government's communications with social media platforms over what it deemed COVID misinformation.[4][5]
  • The FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force reportedly resumed conducting briefings and began an outreach sometime in early March regarding information it collected on alleged foreign influence online.[6]

Sources: [1]National Review, [2]Washington Post, [3]Government Executive, [4]Reason.com, [5]Guardian and [6]NBC.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by NBC. The FBI's renewed collaboration with social media companies is critical to address foreign malign influences, particularly amid the upcoming election, which must be protected. The Justice Department aims to improve transparency about these efforts while ensuring First Amendment rights are respected.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by UnHerd. Recent disclosures of the FBI's interactions with social media firms like Twitter suggest attempts to influence information flow. Besides pressuring the platforms to act against so-called misinformation, it also influences political decisions. The need for vigilance against government overreach is key.