France on alert for disinformation ahead of European polls

Paris France urges social media vigilance to combat disinformation ahead of European Parliament elections, citing foreign interference concerns.

France has urged social media platforms to increase monitoring of disinformation online in the run-up to the European Parliament elections, a Minister said on April 24.

Jean-Noel Barrot, Minister for Europe at the Foreign Ministry, said two elements could possibly upset the poll on June 9: a high rate of abstentions and foreign interference.

His warning comes as French officials have repeatedly cautioned over the risk of disinformation — especially from Russia after its invasion of Ukraine — interfering with the polls.

To fight absenteeism, France is launching a vast media campaign to encourage its citizens to get out and vote.

As for disinformation, a new government agency mandated to detect disinformation called VIGINUM is on high alert, Mr. Barrot said.

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The junior Minister said he had urged the European Commission to help ensure social media platforms "require the greatest vigilance during the campaign period, the electoral silence period and on the day of the vote".