“Ahead of the upcoming November 2022 midterm elections, social media platforms must take critical steps to stop the spread of misinformation and disinformation that undermines the integrity of our electoral process,” Bonda wrote Thursday in a 16-page letter to the heads of Meta, YouTube, TikTok, Reddit and Twitter. Boda said more efforts are needed to stem the flow of “fake news” that he said has played a role in some of the political violence seen in recent years. He blamed social media in part for the Jan. 6 riot on Capitol Hill and said the event “stemmed from and is deeply connected to social media-fueled hoaxes and conspiracy theories.” He added that the attack on Pelosi’s husband is another example of a “social media-fueled” incident that “amplifies extremist messages and perpetuates lies.” CALIFORNIA, BLUE STATES GANGS IN NORTH CAROLINA, FEAR ‘EXTREME’ SUPREME COURT ELECTION LAW RULING California Attorney General Rob Bonda says Big Tech needs to do more to protect midterm elections. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File) Boda said that while he “appreciates” freedom of speech, these events show that more needs to be done to mitigate the “spread of election-related misinformation.” “I urge you to strengthen and accelerate your companies’ ongoing efforts to consistently, transparently, and aggressively address violations of your misinformation policies and violations of state and federal law,” he wrote. “I also implore you to use your vast resources, tools and familiarity with the workings of social media platforms to stop the spread of misinformation, disinformation, conspiracy theories and threats that fuel political violence,” he continued. “While I appreciate that you must work to balance the free exchange of ideas and opinions, implementing your policies will mitigate the real threat that the spread of election-related disinformation poses to our democracy and its citizens,” he added. Boda. Bonta cited research that said a majority of US adults get some of their news from social media, but most overestimate their ability to weed out “fake news.” He said this leaves many Americans vulnerable to “coordinated disinformation attacks” such as “Russia’s brazen interference in the 2016 election.” “The spread of disinformation and disinformation on social media platforms has led to the spread of conspiracy theories, political violence and threats to democracy ahead of the 2022 midterm elections,” Boda said in a statement. STUDY DEbunks ‘RED STATE MURDER’ CLAIMS BY HILLARY CLINTON, DEMOCRATS California’s top official is concerned that Big Tech is still spreading too much “misinformation” and confusing voters. (REUTERS/Emily Elconin) Bonda’s letter said that while social media companies have tried to combat misinformation, “its continued spread and increasingly violent consequences call for greater corrective action.” “Reasonable users expect social media platforms to vigorously enforce their terms of service and to provide a safe means of engagement,” he wrote. “Therefore, it is up to your companies to establish and enforce solid, robust policies that will actually prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation, as well as assist law enforcement in protecting the integrity of the democratic process.” Bonta cited a report prepared in August by the majority Democratic staff of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, which said “the greatest current threat to the legitimacy of democracy now comes from the lies of domestic actors who seek to convince Americans that their election systems are fraudulent, corrupt, or insecure.” NEWSOM SUES OVER COVID ‘MISINFORMATION’ LAW DOCTORS SAY INFRINGES ON FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS California Attorney General Rob Bonda said in a letter to Big Tech CEOs that while he “values” free speech, these events show that more needs to be done to mitigate the “spread of misinformation related to the elections”. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) “Hoaxes and fabricated allegations of electoral fraud are prompting angry and misinformed actors to disrupt electoral processes and flood local government offices with baseless accusations and demands for investigations,” Bonta wrote. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “False narratives about ballot collection have prompted armed vigilantes to patrol the polls and film or photograph voters as they cast their ballots,” he continued. Bonda used his letter to invoke the California law that he said gives him the authority to ensure that midterm elections are conducted fairly and to combat the “spread of misinformation that interferes with our election system.” “As the head of law enforcement for the State of California, I cannot tolerate attacks on our elected leaders and public servants,” he wrote. Brianna Herlihy is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
