Big Tech reportedly met with US officials to discuss 2020 election security

[nanoguy]

In brief: Big tech is working closely with US intelligence agencies to secure the 2020 presidential election. Not much is known about what was discussed during the meetings, but Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter, and Google are said to have participated. The main focus areas were the curbing of disinformation campaigns and tighter coordination between tech companies and authorities.

Facebook, Twitter, Google and Microsoft have met with officials from Homeland Security, the FBI, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to discuss how to prepare for the 2020 US presidential election. Microsoft and Twitter confirmed their presence at the meeting, and a spokesperson for the latter described it as a "joint effort in response to a shared threat."

The discussions took place at Facebook's headquarters in Menlo Park, California, and covered plans on how to tackle potential security issues and prevent disinformation campaigns from achieving critical mass. In June, a Trump administration official expressed concerns that Russia, China, and Iran are all trying to sway public opinion ahead of the 2020 election.

The parties also discussed how to better coordinate security efforts, with Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s head of cybersecurity policy reportedly leading the talks. A Senate Intelligence Committee report that was released in July revealed that a lot of interference could have been avoided if tech companies and authorities would have worked together more closely. Instead, the government underestimated the threat and was unprepared to deal with cyberattacks.

Microsoft has been working on software tools to boost the security and public verifiability of voting done through paper ballots, as well as making it more accessible for those with disabilities.

Facebook wants to stop election interference using a fast action team that works in a "war room" and are able to track and shoot down fake news before they go viral.

We'll have to wait and see how effective the new strategy will be, especially after Russia had no problem targeting the 2018 midterm elections despite warnings from the DoD and US intelligence agencies that any meddling will trigger a cyberattack in return.

In the meantime, the Russian contractor that is tied to the 2016 election scandal is busy developing and selling phone spyware.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/81756-big-tech-reportedly-met-us-officials-discuss-2020.html

 

[QuantumPhysics]

Democrats really ought to ask China for help against the Russian interference in favor of the Republicans.

Disarming NATO is Russia’s dream.

 

[Nobina]

How did Russians hack the election?

 

[ShagnWagn]

First of all, fake news companies need to be shut down. Unless they can provide accurate and non-biased information sources, they cannot report on it. If they do, fine them 5% of their company revenue, and double it each offense.

Second, we need to work together to find the most "secure" method of collecting votes. I do not necessarily agree with electronic voting because it is so easily hacked, and even internally. It's old school, but being an IT engineer for 25+ years, I believe ol' paper voting is the least vulnerable method. Your possibility of outside hacking (especially offshore) is substantially reduced. There should be a secure system of checks and balances.

 

[toooooot]

How did Russians hack the election?

Key word is tried. They created some noise spreading lies with all the accounts traced to the one ***** house Evgeniy Prigogin runs.
They didn't make a big impact it is believed. But their presence and intentions
were clear enough to accuse them of "trying to hack" the election.
There could be other attempts of getting inside the government officials'
email, with various success. One thing is obvious, they forgot their place.
They are acting in the way one can act if they don't hit back with the sace
actions. And then it could lead to open war. Which is why the civilized world is trying to not
act in that way, at least not that obvious and unprofessional.

But what can you ask of them when mafia rules the country?
They act exactly like criminals would. And the way they execute their missions
pretty much points to what kind of human beings use their power.

It is kinda sad that their neighbors didn't realize that for many years. But then was Georgia, Ukraine...
But it is all for the better. At least at this point, there are no delusions regarding Russia and Mr Putin.

 

[tkabou]

Big Tech and the Democrap party themselves are the threat to "election security"

 

[J0hnWhyte]

Big Tech and the Democrap party themselves are the threat to "election security"

*yawn* provide at least some plausible reasons, make them credible