The following statement can be attributed to Chris Mohr, President, Software & Information Industry Association.
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) commends the Senate Intelligence Committee for addressing the critical issue of foreign threats to U.S. elections during today’s hearing. While the 2024 U.S. election is top of mind, it’s also important to acknowledge that every year is an election year for large tech companies who operate globally. The private sector has played an important role in combating the threats of foreign interference in elections by continuously innovating and enhancing safeguards on their platforms. From implementing advanced algorithms to detect disinformation, to increasing transparency in political advertising, to bolstering cybersecurity measures, the tech industry has taken significant strides to mitigate risks. These efforts, combined with close collaboration with government agencies, have contributed greatly towards identifying and countering nefarious behavior designed to disrupt our electoral processes.
As AI exacerbates existing problems in the threat landscape, it remains clear that we must maintain collaboration amongst industry, government and civil society to address this concern. SIIA believes that continued dialogue between Congress and the tech sector is essential in order to ensure that emerging threats are met with robust and adaptive responses. Additionally, we support initiatives that promote cybersecurity best practices and increase public awareness around digital literacy, enabling voters to spot misinformation and engage with reliable information during elections.