A Call to Revamp Digital Defences
The Third Summit for Democracy, which occurred from March 18th to 20th, 2024, stood out as a pivotal moment in the global fight against the misuse of commercial spyware. Hosted by South Korea, the summit brought together leaders from 11 countries, including India, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the United States. Indian PM Narendra Modi, in a resounding address, hailed the Summit as a crucial platform for democracies worldwide to exchange experiences and learn from each other, emphasising its role in the collective effort to combat pressing challenges.
In his keynote address, South Korea's President Yoon Suk-Yeol underscored the pressing threats posed by fake news, disinformation, and the implications of AI on democratic values.
The summit resulted in a unified pledge by all nations to combat commercial spyware abuse, marking a significant step towards safeguarding global freedoms. Key measures include strict government protocols, export regulations, and enhanced information sharing among member nations.
Countries, including India, recognised the increasing threat of disinformation, particularly from China and Russia, with India facing a surge in such campaigns, notably in the lead-up to the upcoming elections. Meta recently launched a dedicated fact-checking helpline on WhatsApp in partnership with the Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA) to address this issue, focusing on AI-generated misinformation in preparation for the upcoming general election. India also implements initiatives like 'Satyamav Jayate', Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan, and the National Digital Literacy Mission to combat disinformation and promote digital literacy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government introduced a WhatsApp chatbot and a fact-checking unit under the Press Information Bureau.
AI presents a dual threat to democracy, serving as both a tool for progress and a potential danger, highlighting the need for a summit like this. Protecting our democracies is a joint endeavour, necessitating cooperation among governments and citizens globally.
