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U.S. NEWSLETTER  

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Tackling the Challenges of Countering Election Disinformation

In a new CDT report, Seismic Shifts: How Economic, Technological, and Political Trends are Challenging Independent Counter-Election-Disinformation Initiatives ([link removed]), we examine the growing challenges facing counter-election-disinformation researchers, and make recommendations for how to address those challenges.

The detailed report, which draws on interviews with 31 participants in election integrity initiatives, determines that the 2024 elections around the world are likely to occur in one of the most vulnerable environments for online political disinformation that we have ever seen.

Specifically, a coordinated political assault on election integrity, as well as downsizing in the tech sector, data access limits imposed by online platforms, and increasing use of generative artificial intelligence, have hampered researchers’ ability to adequately respond to the spread of election disinformation online.

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Graphic for CDT report, entitled “Seismic Shifts: How Economic, Technological, and Political Trends are Challenging Independent Counter-Election-Disinformation Initiatives in the United States.” A menacing crack in the ground separates a voter from a voting booth.

Many independent counter-election-disinformation initiatives are reconsidering their approaches. In the report, we suggest short-term and long-term steps that these initiatives — and governments and platforms — can take to tackle the challenges. Our recommendations include mitigating the impact of disinformation “superspreaders,” supporting reforms to the electoral process and law, expanding researcher access to platform data, and doing more to promote online trust and safety while respecting freedom of expression.

Efforts to protect elections from disinformation stand at a crossroads. As we demonstrate in the report, steps can be taken to protect and better support researchers, diminish the prevalence and severity of harm, achieve incremental improvements in tech accountability and transparency, and set up the trust and safety field for long-term success in countering election disinformation.

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Graphic for CDT report, entitled "Off Task: EdTech Threats to Student Privacy and Equity in the Age of AI." A browser with a warning symbol.

In Case You Missed It

— From July to August 2023, CDT surveyed students, parents, and teachers about how school technologies such as content filtering, monitoring students’ online activities, and generative AI are affecting students’ lives ([link removed]). We found that these technologies are sometimes harming the very students they claim to serve — and schools are out of step in addressing rising concerns. We highlighted how existing civil rights laws provide an important foundation ([link removed]) for ensuring that schools can use edtech for its intended function without discriminating against students on the basis of race, sex, or disability.

— On Labor Day, CDT announced support for three workplace technology bills ([link removed]) that Sen. Robert Casey introduced in the Senate this year: the Stop Spying Bosses Act, the Exploitative Workplace Surveillance and Technologies Task Force Act, and the No Robot Bosses Act. Casey’s bills would go a long way toward the regulation of emerging workplace technologies and practices that are harming workers every day.

— CDT applauded calls for key reforms ([link removed]) in this week’s report on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA 702) by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB). The independent bipartisan board recommended that the reauthorization of Section 702, a warrantless surveillance authority set to expire at the end of this year, should be paired with fundamental reforms to Section 702 authorities. Most importantly, the PCLOB recommended that accessing any U.S. person queries of communications acquired from FISA 702 surveillance should be prohibited unless authorized by the FISA court.

CDT in the Press

— “Fifty-eight percent of students say that they have used generative AI either for academic purposes or for personal reasons,” Elizabeth Laird, Director of CDT’s Equity in Civic Technology Project, told Marketplace in an interview about the risks AI use in schools creates for marginalized students ([link removed]).

Screenshot of CDT's Alexandra Givens and Yahoo Finance's Rachelle Akuffo, with chyron "AI Boom: Navigating Life & Work with New Tech."

— CDT’s President and CEO, Alexandra Reeve Givens, sat down with Yahoo Finance's Rachelle Akuffo ([link removed]) to discuss the pros and cons of AI, and her concerns about the effects of the technology on people's lives. 

— Givens was also named one of Washingtonian Magazine’s 2023 DC Tech Titans ([link removed]). Congratulations, Alex!

— CDT’s Aliya Bhatia and Gabriel Nicholas discussed the shortcomings of AI-based language translation tools ([link removed]) with Context.

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Event graphic for "Generative AI and the Future of Speech Online" event, hosted virtually on October 4-5, 2023 by CDT and Stand Together Trust. A dark purple background with a speech bubble filled with pink, blue, red and turquoise swirls; text and logos in white.

CDT "in Person"

— RSVP to attend for CDT’s seventh annual Future of Speech Online virtual event ([link removed]), on October 4-5, where we’ll explore the promises and perils of generative AI models for the online speech landscape.

— Reserve your place now for CDT’s our Tech Prom event page ([link removed]) — featuring special guest ‘Round Midnight! Join us on Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 6:00–10:00 PM at The Anthem in Washington, D.C., along with fellow policymakers, educators, civil society advocates, government representatives, corporate partners, and the interested public. Learn more about the event, sponsorship opportunities, and tickets on our Tech Prom event page ([link removed]).

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Photograph of Greg Nojeim, smiling wearing glasses and a black suit and a blue collared shirt with red tie.

Staff Spotlight
Greg Nojeim ([link removed]), Senior Counsel and Director, Security and Surveillance Project 

How long have you been working in digital rights? Since people lived in caves? I’ve been at CDT for 16 years, and I worked on digital rights at ACLU for 12 years before that, so let’s just call it “a very long time."

What is your proudest moment while here at CDT? A long tenure means many proud moments. Looking back on them, I think I’m most proud when someone I hired or helped to hire at CDT does something wonderful for digital rights while at CDT, or from their new perch. 

What is the best book you've read recently? Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham. I guess that’s the type of lawyer I’ve always secretly admired.

Cats or dogs? Dogs. Because, IMHO, they are more apt than cats to let you know what’s on their mind.

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