{"id":617255,"date":"2024-04-17T17:16:52","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T14:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/in-big-election-year-tech-platforms-are-open-for-voter-manipulation\/"},"modified":"2024-04-17T17:16:52","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T14:16:52","slug":"in-big-election-year-tech-platforms-are-open-for-voter-manipulation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/in-big-election-year-tech-platforms-are-open-for-voter-manipulation\/","title":{"rendered":"#In big election year, tech platforms are open for voter manipulation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2d0a2952035\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2d0a2952035\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/in-big-election-year-tech-platforms-are-open-for-voter-manipulation\/#Funders_in_the_shadows\" >Funders in the shadows<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/in-big-election-year-tech-platforms-are-open-for-voter-manipulation\/#Election_manipulation\" >Election manipulation<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div id=\"article-main-content\">\n                            Under orders from the EU, tech giants have launched 11 advertising transparency tools. None of them are fit for purpose, according to a new study from Mozilla.<\/p>\n<p>The tools provide libraries of data about online adverts. By exploring the repositories, researchers can identify the funders and techniques behind the ads. At least, that\u2019s the idea.<\/p>\n<p>The libraries are obligatory under the EU\u2019s Digital Services Act (DSA), a law designed to safeguard online environments.<\/p>\n<p>By shining a light on\u00a0ad content and targeting, the EU hopes to tackle disinformation and manipulation. The impact could be global. Because platforms often respond to international rules with wholesale changes, the libraries could roll out worldwide.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inarticle-wrapper latest channel-cta hs-embed-tnw\">\n<div id=\"hs-embed-tnw\" class=\"channel-cta-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"channel-cta-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/events.tnw\/hardfork-2018\/uploads\/visuals\/tnw-newsletter.png\"\/><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/events.tnw\/hardfork-2018\/uploads\/visuals\/tnw-newsletter.png\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"channel-cta-input\">\n<p class=\"channel-cta-title\">The &lt;3 of EU tech<\/p>\n<p class=\"channel-cta-tagline\">The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol&#8217; founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It&#8217;s free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>With the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/2024-is-worlds-biggest-election-year-ever-and-ai-experts-say-were-not-prepared-13030960\">biggest election year in history<\/a> now underway, the stakes are high. But tech platforms <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ear poorly prepared. Mozilla found their tools are riddled with bugs, faulty features, and missing data.<\/p>\n<p>To stress-test the libraries, the Firefox maker partnered with <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/checkfirst.network\/\">Check First<\/a>, a Finnish pioneer of algorithmic analysis.<\/p>\n<p>The duo<span>\u00a0investigated 11 tools used by the world\u2019s biggest platforms: Google Search, Meta, X, <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>, LinkedIn, the Apple App Store, TikTok, Snapchat, AliExpress, Bing, Booking.com, and Zalando. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>They tested the tools across over 20 parameters informed by the DSA. The framework covered functionality, data accessibility, and accuracy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>After inspecting each platform, the researchers discovered big shortcomings in every tool.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, the people behind the ads could remain hidden. They could also <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a> the system.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Funders_in_the_shadows\"><\/span>Funders in the shadows<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Over email, the study authors<span> told TNW that the libraries\u2019 ad content was poorly catalogued across the platforms. This left data gaps to exploit. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Adverts that violate election rules could evade any observers. With their actions hard to detect, bad actors could sneak in misleading ads backed by nefarious sponsors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Another issue was insufficient detail on ad sponsors \u2014 which makes it hard to know who\u2019s paying for influence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Search functionalities were also frequently inadequate. On Google, for instance, it\u2019s not possible to search for ads by keywords. <span>Meanwhile, no repository offered both sorting and filtering.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>X, formerly Twitter, received the strongest condemnation. The platform\u2019s library didn\u2019t disclose ad content and lacked basic functionality. It also left big gaps in targeting parameters and recipient data.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cX\u2019s transparency tools are an utter disappointment,\u201d said Claire Pershan, EU Advocacy Lead at Mozilla.<\/p>\n<p>These shortcomings will come as little surprise to the EU. X\u2019s ad repository features in the bloc\u2019s DSA investigation against the platform.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Election_manipulation\"><\/span>Election manipulation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Online platforms are influential tools in election campaigns. They\u2019re open to exploitation by both domestic parties and international adversaries.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>One recent pro-Russian Facebook campaign <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=24IaE7PZvOc&amp;t=330s\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v%3D24IaE7PZvOc%26t%3D330s&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1713435331196000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3hIYSiA_C2HMy9xpgKdQau\"><span>targeted Moldova<\/span><\/a><span>. Another <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.disinfo.eu\/doppelganger-operation\/\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.disinfo.eu\/doppelganger-operation\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1713435331196000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2qejJL_kJDA-2Czrf2F87e\"><span>aimed<\/span><\/a><span> anti-Ukraine propaganda at audiences in Germany and France.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>Policies designed to tackle these tactics aren\u2019t always enforced. External researchers can cover their shortcomings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span> TikTok, for instance, doesn\u2019t officially allow political adverts. But CheckFirst has nonetheless <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/library.tiktok.com\/ads\/detail\/?ad_id=1787894105457682\">discovered<\/a> these ads on the platform.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>\u201cAs we are into this major election year, the likelihood of these tactics being used more aggressively is high,\u201d the researchers said. <\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>\u201cEnsuring robust transparency and enabling functional and comprehensive ad libraries is crucial for safeguarding the elections from such manipulative influences.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/tech-ad-transparency-tools-miss-dsa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Under orders from the EU, tech giants have launched 11 advertising transparency tools. None of them are fit for purpose, according to a new study from Mozilla. The tools provide libraries of data about online adverts. By exploring the repositories, researchers can identify the funders and techniques behind the ads. At least, that\u2019s the idea&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":617256,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/tnw-blurple?filter_last=1&fit=1280%2C640&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn0.tnwcdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fblogs.dir%2F1%2Ffiles%2F2023%2F12%2FUntitled-design-22-9.jpg&signature=ed5a2bc710facc53c13cb4523d0d5f04","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-617255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/617255","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=617255"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/617255\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/617256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=617255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=617255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=617255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}