Google, Meta, TikTok, and several other major technology companies have signed on to new Voluntary Election Integrity Guidelines from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). 

As the IFES announced, the guidelines outline agreed expectations and processes for companies working to “advance election integrity and increase trust in the information ecosystem” ahead of upcoming elections around the world.

The initiative aims to establish a framework for productive engagement between election authorities and tech platforms. The companies commit to enacting measures that provide enhanced transparency and bolster election security across different regions.

“The guidelines will help establish a framework for meaningful engagement and support between election authorities and technology companies,” the IFES statement explains. “They will establish clear policies and processes to share information around elections and ensure voters, especially those in newer, vulnerable democracies, have access to high-quality information.”

With varying election rules in each country, it has been difficult for global tech firms to develop universal safeguards to protect electoral processes. This new voluntary agreement strives to improve the shared approach while facilitating knowledge-sharing on voter protection efforts.

“With so many crucial elections taking place this year and technologies evolving fast, our industry needs to work together to support election integrity,” said Nick Clegg, Meta’s President of Global Affairs. 

“Meta has developed a comprehensive approach to protecting elections across our platforms over several years, but every cycle brings new challenges. These guidelines build on the work we’ve been doing and provide shared practices that will benefit both Meta and our peers.”

The guidelines were announced at this week’s Summit for Democracy conference in Seoul, South Korea, where the role of technology has been a key focus. World leaders discussed emerging threats impacting the broader information ecosystem.

“This is a shared mission that requires strong partnerships between election officials and technology companies,” said Dave Vorhaus, Director of Global Elections Integrity at Google.

For the major platforms, the IFES guidelines represent another step toward robust election integrity measures as they prepare for high-stakes elections on the horizon. “In such a historic election year, it’s critical for our industry to collaborate with election authorities to protect against threats to civic processes,” said Foard Copeland, TikTok’s Global Policy Lead for Elections & Civic Integrity.

By signing on to the voluntary IFES principles, Google, Meta, TikTok and their peers are committing to improve communications with election authorities, reduce barriers for responsible companies aiming to support election integrity, and work to ensure access to high-quality election information – especially in newer democracies that may be more vulnerable to misinformation and interference.