Several bipartisan senators are calling on Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, to take steps to counter Russian influence operations on social media ahead of the Moldovan parliamentary elections set for September 28th.
The letter from these senators underscores the persistent threat of Russia, especially in the former Soviet republics, as the conflict with Ukraine continues.
Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Tom Tillis (R-N.C.), who rank high on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, acknowledged Meta’s earlier collaboration with Moldova’s Central Election Commission in June and encouraged ongoing efforts.
“We urge you to maintain your relationship with the CEC and ensure sufficient resources are allocated to combat misinformation and political funding issues before the elections,” they stated.
“Engagement during election cycles is crucial to ensure that elections are both free and fair.”
Moldova, a small nation bordered by Romania and Ukraine, has a population of around 2.4 million and is currently a focus of Russian manipulation. Russian forces continue to occupy a region called Transnistria, and the Kremlin has influence over the autonomous region of Gagauzia, complicating Moldova’s political landscape.
The parliamentary elections are vital since Russia seeks to bolster pro-Kremlin factions, potentially hindering Moldova’s aspirations to join the European Union.
Attempts by Russia have included stirring discontent regarding Moldova’s upcoming presidential election in October and undermining the referendum supporting EU membership through propaganda, media manipulation, and bribery tactics. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, owned by Meta, have been flagged as particularly susceptible to these efforts.
The previously held referendum narrowly favored EU integration, with pro-Western candidate Maia Sandu winning re-election, thanks in part to votes from the Moldovan diaspora.
Before the election in October 2024, Meta indicated it had removed a network targeting Russian-speaking individuals in Moldova. This network had been criticized for undermining Sandu and promoting pro-Russian parties, offering monetary incentives to engage users, and leveraging connections to an oligarch accused of orchestrating a significant vote-buying scheme.
Moldovan authorities have alleged that this oligarch was involved in a $39 million scheme to manipulate votes ahead of the election.
“The Kremlin’s interference in Moldova’s future elections reveals its typical tactics,” the senators noted.
“We urge you to do everything possible to stop this influence from being propagated through your platform.”
