As the U.S. Election draws near, Meta, Snap and TikTok have become the latest in a growing list of technology companies to sign on to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems' new Voluntary Election Integrity Guidelines, which outline agreed expectations and processes for companies working to "advance election integrity and increase trust in the information ecosystem.".

Under this new agreement, platforms would adhere to a set of known principles by implementing measures toward the security and integrity of an election process that can allow greater transparency to a range of areas. New agreement Google and Microsoft too join in this agreement.

IFES: The new guidelines will ensure establishing framework and meaningful support through communication for the technology company by electoral authority. They will establish clear policies and procedures for information sharing around elections and ensure that voters, especially in newer and more vulnerable democracies, have high-quality information available to them. They will also improve channels of communication between these technology companies and the election authorities that strengthen these same institutions but reduce obstacles for smaller and newer companies aiming to be responsible actors around elections.

Since different rules for information sharing and the political process exist among each region, it might be difficult for tech companies to develop universal parameters towards ensuring protection across all nations. The new accord will improve the shared approach towards voter protection while facilitating knowledge sharing and cooperating on such between providers.

Meta Says:

"We believe these guidelines build on the work we've been doing and provide shared practices that will benefit both Meta and our peers during a year when so many elections are taking place around the world."

The new rules were announced at the third annual Summit for Democracy, being held in Seoul this week.  The use of technology has been a big focus of the conference as world leaders share their approaches to various new elements of concern impacting the broader information ecosystem.

It's another step toward broader election integrity measures, as Meta also announced multiple measures in preparation for what is going to likely be a tumultuous U.S. Presidential race.