Google to Require AI, Digitally Altered Content Disclosure on Election Ads

Google will begin requiring campaign teams to disclose the use of generative AI and digitally altered content on their election ads as part of its renewed vows to curb voting misinformation.

In an updated ad policy first spotted by Reuters, Google now mandates advertisers to provide a "prominent disclosure" to their ads containing synthetic content that has been "digitally altered or generated."

This will be in addition to an AI content label Google can automatically include in ads if it was flagged whose size will vary depending on the context of the ad.

The new ad policy is remarkably similar to Meta's AI disclosure policies amid the rise of AI-fueled disinformation on the platform.

Google Restricts Election-Related Content on its AI Tools

The rollout of new AI content disclosure came amidst criticisms against the platform for enabling political disinformation on its AI-powered platforms during election season.

Earlier in March, Google restricted political- and election-related queries on its Gemini chatbot following reports of the AI labeling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "fascist."

These query responses came as the country inched closer to its General Elections as concerns for online disinformation were at an all-time high.

With the US also entering its election period in November, digital platforms like Google have started implementing stricter guidelines on its AI technologies amid growing scrutiny on its role in affecting voters' perceptions.

AI's Presence in Election Campaigns Continue to Rise

The new policies can be noted as a response to the AI's growing presence in election campaigns, further enflaming online political disinformation and misinformation across digital spaces.

Since 2023, political campaigns have been noted to have started leveraging AI for effective "political microtargeting efforts."

Digital watchdogs have long warned how the technology, when fallen into the wrong hands, could be exploited to "unleash torrents of misinformation on the internet."

The US Federal Communication Commission has since started taking steps to address the AI problem as more candidates became involved in AI-powered political ads.