DICT to help Comelec fight deepfakes and disinformation in May polls

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in countering deepfakes and disinformation in the upcoming May midterm elections.

Comelec sought the DICT's help in strengthening detection mechanisms against digital threats that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy stated that the primary concerns for the election are deepfakes and misinformation/disinformation campaigns.

Uy mentioned that Comelec is asking for assistance to improve detection mechanisms and to advise the public on identifying fake information, misinformation, and deepfakes used to discredit candidates.

The DICT will act upon the Comelec's directives once the poll body identifies digital threats that need to be addressed.

The DICT and Comelec are also partnering with watchdog groups to combat fake news, disinformation, and online fraud.