Former PM Ehud Barak Calls to Shut Social Media Before Elections

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has sparked controversy with a proposal to shut down major social media platforms and channels in the three days leading up to elections, ostensibly to combat deepfake content. In an interview with Channel 12 News, Barak suggested that the Israeli state should formally demand that tech giants disable these platforms during the critical 72-hour period before polls open.

Barak framed his suggestion as a response to the threat of AI-generated disinformation, particularly deepfake videos, spreading close to election day. He expressed concern about the potential for such content to influence voters, noting the difficulty in controlling viral material once it is released online.

Instead of focusing on network-level defenses or content moderation, Barak proposed a drastic measure: state intervention to compel the closure of entire communication channels. The article notes that such a move, blocking digital platforms and halting political information dissemination by citizens, is unprecedented in democratic nations and is more characteristic of authoritarian regimes that control information flow during emergencies.

Critics argue that Barak's proposal sacrifices fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, which is considered vital to the democratic process, especially during the period when voters are forming their final decisions. The digest emphasizes that while combating disinformation is important, democratic societies should employ careful, controlled, and proportionate measures that do not infringe upon basic rights, warning that Barak's idea of "pulling the plug" on communication channels represents a dangerous slippery slope.