Would You like a feature Interview?
All Interviews are 100% FREE of Charge
General election candidates should be careful about their social media posts during the election campaign to mitigate the risk of cyber attacks and AI deepfakes designed to distort democracy, according to new Cabinet Office guidelines.
The advice, produced in partnership with GCHQ and the National Cyber ​​Security Centre, says anyone involved in elections – thousands of candidates, their staff and election officials – could be targeted by deepfakes and other disinformation.
Candidates and their staff should avoid using personal mobile phones to post campaign-related social media information.
They should also consider how people use TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook more generally, including what they share, their account privacy settings and whether they have two-factor authentication, because personal photos and information “can be used to make scams or fake content more convincing,” the guidelines warn.
“The advent of generative artificial intelligence gives attackers further tools that can be used to disrupt the security of UK elections, influence the outcome or undermine public confidence in the electoral process itself,” the advisory said.
The risks of AI deepfakes in politics have been recognised for several years, but this new warning is the most far-reaching ever issued to politicians and parliamentary candidates.
Labour’s shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting, became the latest high-profile politician to be targeted by an AI deepfake this week, although it was taken from footage of an appearance on a BBC programme rather than based on Streeting’s own social media. Politics Live program.
Footage of him on Monday’s show was mistakenly edited to show him describing Diahnne Abbott as a “stupid woman”.
At the time, the Ilford North MP said: “The fake video Politics Live It also includes words that we haven’t used today.
“You can watch the original on iPlayer but so far only the gullible have been fooled.”
The Cabinet Office guidance says: “Personal information can be used to make scams and fake content more convincing. Consider how you use social media (both personal and professional), what you share and the privacy settings of your accounts.”
“When creating or sharing official documents or official communications, always use official devices and communications, not your own. Similarly, avoid using official devices or accounts for personal purposes.
“Using strong passwords and setting up two-factor authentication (2SV) will make it harder for attackers to gain access to your devices. Our support staff will help you with this task and ensure the security of your devices and communication channels.”
Candidates, agents and executives should understand social media platforms’ policies and processes regarding disinformation and AI-generated media, and know how to report false content.
According to the guidelines, all political parties have been directed to set up a central communication channel for candidates to report any incidents and police may intervene if necessary.
Both the Labour and Conservative parties made heavy use of TikTok and X during their election campaigns, but the platforms are also notorious for being used by adversaries to create deepfakes to distort political views.
The incident this week when Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was attacked by a woman with a milkshake during his first campaign visit in Clacton, Essex, was a reminder of the wider issue of MPs’ safety.
Despite the incident, Mr Farage will continue with his campaign walks. I They said.
A source close to Mr Farage said his strategy of meeting ordinary voters in Clacton and elsewhere during the election campaign was “not going to let up”.
Across continental Europe, concerns have been raised about the safety of candidates in this weekend’s European elections after Heinrich Koch of the far-right Alternative for Germany party was stabbed in Mannheim, southwest Germany, leaving him with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The attack came just days after a police officer was killed in a knife attack in the same city.
2024 Election
Senators Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer have returned to campaigning after a hiatus to mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Senatorial election. I‘s General Election live blog is the place to be for everything from party manifestos to candidate news and who will decide the outcome of the election.
Sir Keir and other party leaders criticised Sunak for leaving a ceremony to mark the Normandy landings early – leading to him apologising – while Labour announced plans to help first-time home buyers.
meanwhile, I The UK government has launched a “Protect Britain’s Rivers” manifesto, calling on political parties to make five pledges to improve our waterways, with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey the first to back the campaign.
Tonight, the seven leaders of the main political parties will go head-to-head in the general election leaders’ debate, which will be covered in full on our liveblog. I Website.