US Senators Urge Meta, Google to Counter Disinformation in Armenian Elections
A bipartisan group of US senators have written to Meta and Alphabet, requesting the tech giants take action against Russian disinformation campaigns targeting Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections. The letters, spearheaded by Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Thom Tillis, acknowledge previous efforts to combat similar tactics in Moldova and express concern over Russia’s evolving strategy. Senators cited warnings from the EU and Armenian fact-checkers regarding increased disinformation efforts, often traced back to Russia, aimed at discrediting the current government.
These efforts are viewed as potentially influencing the election’s outcome, which could impact regional peace initiatives, including the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP). The letters referenced findings from the Union of Informed Citizens, an Armenian civil society group, which documented the use of manipulative content on Meta and Alphabet platforms. Specifically, the group identified coordinated inauthentic behavior allegedly directed by a Russian-Armenian tycoon, Samvel Karapetyan, currently under house arrest for alleged coup attempts and money laundering.
Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia party is a significant competitor in the upcoming election. The senators emphasized the importance of a free and fair electoral process, stating that foreign interference poses a threat to Armenia’s future. They highlighted that if these efforts utilize platforms based in the United States, Meta and Google have a heightened responsibility to mitigate such actions.
The letters urged both companies to “help ensure that Armenia’s elections remain free and fair.” Public opinion surveys indicate Karapetyan would be Pashinyan’s primary opponent in the June elections. The US maintains a position of impartiality regarding the election’s results, while expressing concern about foreign influence.
Topics: #meta #senators #google
“It’s concerning to see foreign actors attempting to influence a democratic process like this.”