POLL CRACKDOWN URGED

THE federal government is being urged to crack down on viral misinformation on social media in the lead-up to the next federal election.

Technological advocacy group Reset Australia pointed to Facebook’s decision to relax its election-proofing measures prior to the US Capitol riots as demonstrating the consequences of the social media giant’s unchecked power.

Reset Australia tech policy director Dhakshayini Sooriyakumaran called for the government to mandate platforms publish an election “live list” of the most viral misinformation that had the potential to have a serious societal impact.

“Timid efforts to self-regulate haven’t worked. Voluntary and opt-in codes, such as the Australian code of conduct on disinformation and misinformation, are insufficient,” he said.