Meta Asked to Detail Election‑Safety Staffing, Budgets and AI Policies

In a formal letter addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, a bipartisan group of 19 U.S. lawmakers demanded a comprehensive breakdown of the company’s election‑security resources for the 2026 cycle. The senators, led by Democratic Senator Kevin Mulin, want figures on how many staff members are dedicated to safeguarding the 2020, 2024 and 2026 elections, as well as the corresponding budget allocations.

The letter also presses Meta for a clear policy on synthetic audio, video and AI‑generated political content. Lawmakers ask whether paid political influencers will be required to disclose earnings and funding sources, and whether any AI‑created imagery or audio used in campaign ads must be labeled.

The group notes that Meta recently ended its third‑party fact‑checking partnership involving more than 90 independent organizations, opting instead for Community Notes. Critics argue that this shift places the verification burden on ordinary users who may lack the expertise to spot sophisticated fakes.

A highlighted illustration is the fabricated conservative influencer “Emily Hart,” produced by a 22‑year‑old Indian medical student using AI tools. The profile amassed millions of views and thousands of followers before Instagram removed it.

The senators also referenced deepfake incidents in recent Texas and Georgia Senate races, including a counterfeit video of candidate James Talario appearing to address voters directly.

Congressional leaders request details on complaint channels for state and local election officials, average removal times for deceptive content, and an assessment of Community Notes’ effectiveness. Zuckerberg has been given until September 18 to provide a response.