Microsoft president says election has become 'Iran vs. Trump,' and 'Russia vs. Harris'
Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said Wednesday that there are "real and serious" threats of foreign actors attempting to wield influence on the 2024 election as November quickly approaches.
"We know that there is a presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, but this has also become an election of Iran versus Trump and Russia versus Harris," Smith said during his opening testimony for a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on foreign election interference.
"And it is an election where Russia, Iran and China are united with a common interest in discrediting democracy in the eyes of our own voters and, even more so, in the eyes of the world," he warned.
The hearing comes amid growing concerns over attempts by Russia, China, Iran and other actors to interfere with the election through disinformation and misinformation campaigns online. Smith testified alongside Nick Clegg, the president of global affairs at Meta, and Kent Walker, the president and chief legal officer for Google's Alphabet.
Smith's comment referred to the series of alleged efforts by Russia and Iran to disrupt the presidential elections of Trump and Harris. He pointed to Microsoft's report this week that found Russian influence operations were behind a viral video falsely accusing Harris of a hit-and-run.
"The threats to our democracy from abroad are sophisticated and persistent. We must stand together as a tech community, as leaders and as a nation to protect the integrity of our elections," Smith said.
He outlined two principles he believes the tech companies must adhere to. First, "to preserve the fundamental right to free expression that is enshrined in our Constitution," and second, "to defend the American electorate from foreign nation-states who are seeking to deceive the American public."
To do this, Smith argued, tech companies are obligated to put guardrails in place, especially around content generated by artificial intelligence (AI). He also called for "protection" and to inform candidates of the risks of AI.
"And we do that in part by providing them with technology. We've now worked across 23 countries this year. We've had more than 150 training sessions reaching more than 4,700 people. And we do it by responding immediately, in real time when incidents arise, as we do, to work with campaigns to help protect them," he said.
Microsoft's report on the viral hit-and-run video targeted at Harris follows a series of inference incidents being investigated by the federal government.
Earlier this month, the Justice Department seized more than 30 web domains used by Russia for covert campaigns and charged two employees of RT, formerly known as Russia Today, alleging they led a covert influence campaign by partnering with conservative company Tenet Media to hire various right-wing influencers.
The FBI separately announced last month that Iran was behind a hacking of the Trump campaign, and the bureau stated it observed "increasingly aggressive Iranian activity" this election cycle.
Clegg offered a similar perspective, maintaining Meta is "committed to free expression" while recognizing foreign adversaries are working to "undermine the Democratic process."
"While we are conscious that every election brings its own challenges and complexities, we are confident that our comprehensive approach puts us in a strong position to do our part to help protect the integrity of not only this year’s elections in the United States, but elections around the globe at all times," Clegg said in his testimony.
His testimony came just days after Meta banned Russian state media — including RT — from its social media platforms, citing foreign interference activity.
Date: | |
Tag: | Microsoft |
-
The Hill - Politics
On Harris vs. Trump, Pope Francis is not infallible
Pope Francis has criticized both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris for their views, but American Catholics and non-Catholics alike should ignore his off-the-cuff comments about the American ...2 days ago - Donald Trump -
CNBC - Business
Harris-Trump election has Big Tech 'at a crossroads' after slump in dealmaking
With regulators making it hard for large tech companies to do significant deals, M&A transaction volume in the industry continues to drop.Yesterday - Donald Trump -
The Guardian - World
Russia propaganda group behind fake Kamala Harris hit-and-run story, says Microsoft
Microsoft researchers found that the group created a video, paid an actor to appear as the alleged victim, and spread the claim through a fake website. A false claim circulating on social media ...Yesterday -
CNBC - Business
Teamsters union says it will not endorse Harris or Trump in 2024 presidential election
The major labor union said it would not endorse any candidate in the race between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.18 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
The real 2024 election divide is the Catastrophists vs. the Casuals
Catastrophists share a belief that we’re at a crossroads in American democracy. The Casuals see the landscape quite differently.2 hours ago -
Financial Times - Business
Teamsters union declines to endorse Harris or Trump for president
Neither candidate is committed to putting workers before big business, says powerful union17 hours ago - Donald Trump -
MarketWatch - Business
Harris has closed the gap with Trump on who would handle the economy better, new report says
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has caught up to Republican rival Donald Trump on the question of which of them is more trusted when it comes to handling the U.S. economy, according ...6 hours ago - Donald Trump -
BBC News - Top stories
US says Iran sent info from Trump hack to Biden associates
US officials say the info was sent unsolicited and there is no evidence any recipients replied14 hours ago - Joe Biden -
The Guardian - World
Iran sent hacked Trump documents to Biden campaign, FBI says
Officials say there is no indication Biden campaign responded to the emails, which offered information stolen from Trump campaign. Iranian hackers sought to interest President Joe Biden’s campaign ...13 hours ago - Joe Biden
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
A FAIR chance for all future doctors
We have a responsibility to ensure that all medical students have an equal opportunity to contribute to our healthcare system.29 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
GOP lawmakers from Nebraska urge state to flip to winner-take-all electoral system
Republican members of Congress from Nebraska in a Wednesday letter called on their state to apportion all of its five electoral votes to the popular vote winner of the presidential election in the ...35 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Israeli police say they thwarted Iranian assassination attempt
Israeli police said Thursday that agents thwarted a recent Iranian assassination attempt, arresting an individual suspected of receiving money from Iran to coordinate an attack on top officials, ...35 minutes ago - Israel -
The Hill - Politics
'Uncommitted' leaders say they won't endorse Harris
The Uncommitted National Movement won’t endorse Vice President Harris for the White House, the pro-Palestinian group said on Thursday, even as it opposes former President Trump and cautions against ...40 minutes ago - Kamala Harris -
The Hill - Politics
Senate will move stopgap funding bill as government shutdown looms
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Thursday that he will act later in the day to advance a bipartisan government funding bill after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) failed to pass ...41 minutes ago