Google has initiated restrictions on Gemini queries related to elections in all markets globally where elections are ongoing.
The search giant confirmed to TechCrunch that it has begun implementing restrictions on Gemini to limit the display of election-related answers worldwide. This update is currently active in the U.S. and is gradually rolling out in India and other major countries with upcoming elections.
This move underscores not only the role of generative AI in the election process but also Google’s concern regarding the potential misuse or generation of inaccurate responses. In India, this change follows shortly after the government issued an advisory mandating tech firms to obtain approval before launching new AI models.
Queries pertaining to political parties, candidates, or politicians now yield a predefined message. When users inquire about a specific political entity or candidate, Gemini presents a message stating, “I’m still learning how to answer this question. In the meantime, try Google Search.”
Last month, Google suspended Gemini’s capability to generate people’s images due to historical inaccuracies. The company announced plans to release an improved version soon to address these issues.
It remains uncertain whether Google will lift the restrictions on Gemini for answering election-related queries after the conclusion of the elections later this year. We have reached out to Google for clarification and will update this story upon receiving a response. Additionally, we are awaiting a comprehensive list of countries where the update is currently active and will update the post accordingly.
