Japan proposes guidelines to curb election misinformation on social media

Japan’s internal affairs ministry has released draft guidelines aimed at major social media operators to mitigate the spread of false or misleading information during elections. The proposal targets 13 major platforms, including Google LLC, X Corp., and LY Corp., seeking to protect the integrity of electoral processes from disinformation.

A key component of the draft is the potential suspension of monetization systems that allow users to earn revenue based on post views. Officials aim to target the commercial incentives that drive the spread of viral falsehoods. The guidelines also recommend that platforms detect and label AI-generated images and videos if users fail to do so themselves.

To prevent the mass dissemination of distorted information, the guidelines suggest detecting the illicit use of multiple devices and programs, suspending involved accounts, and deleting problematic posts. While the guidelines are not legally binding and aim to respect freedom of expression by leaving specific responses to the operators, they are intended to be finalized by the end of this year to prepare for unified local elections in April.