May 17, 2018 - Technology

Facebook teams up with Atlantic Council to fight foreign influence

Sara Fischer

Photo: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP via Getty Images

Facebook today will announce a partnership with the Atlantic Council aimed at helping deter manipulation of the platform during elections around the world.

Why it matters: About 87% of Facebook’s user base is outside the U.S., so the opportunity for election manipulation around the world is massive. And platform manipulation in those countries can be even harder to manage, because of language and cultural barriers.

The details: "Experts from [Facebook's] Digital Forensic Research Lab will work closely with our security, policy and product teams to get Facebook real-time insights ... on emerging threats and disinformation campaigns."

The plan is to focus on specific geographic areas, "monitoring for misinformation and foreign interference and also working to help educate citizens."

What they're saying: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made a point during his call with reporters in April and to lawmakers during his congressional hearings to emphasize the fact that Facebook sees election integrity as a global effort.

Elections ahead: Mexico, July 1; Pakistan, July 15; Brazil, Oct. 7; U.S., Nov. 6.

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Facebook teams up with Atlantic Council to fight foreign influence

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