“Google and ECI Partner to Enhance Voter Information and Fight Election Misinformation

Current Context: Google has indeed partnered with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide critical voting information and combat misinformation ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on 12th March 2024.

• Here are some key points:
• Google is collaborating with the ECI to provide critical voting details, such as registration and voting procedures, in English and Hindi through Google Search and YouTube.
• YouTube will feature election information panels, including candidate profiles and registration guidelines, ensuring that users have access to authoritative sources.
• Google is employing a multi-pronged approach to combat misinformation and abuse on its platforms. 
• It’s leveraging advanced AI models and machine learning techniques to identify and remove content that violates its policies.
• Advertisers must undergo an identity verification process and obtain a pre-certificate from the ECI or authorised entities for each election ad they wish to run.
• Google is actively collaborating with news organisations, fact-checkers, and other stakeholders to counter misinformation.
• Through initiatives like the Google News Initiative Training Network, Fact Check Explorer tool, and partnerships with entities like Shakti, India Election Fact-Checking Collective, the company is supporting efforts to debunk misinformation, detect deepfakes, and create a shared repository for tackling misinformation challenges at scale.

Question:

Q.1 What is Google’s role in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections?
a. Google is providing critical voting details through Google Search and YouTube.
b. Google is running election ads.
c. Google is a candidate in the elections.
d. Google is the official sponsor of the elections.