Google CEO Sundar Pichai asks team to safeguard trust during US elections, sends internal memo

As the United States heads into a decisive phase in its presidential election, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet and Google, has called on employees to ensure the company maintains its reputation as a reliable information provider. In an internal memo, as per an IANS report, Pichai underscored Google’s critical role during this period, saying it is essential for “the products they build” to be a trusted source for people of all backgrounds.

"Let’s remember the role we play at work, through the products we build and as a business: to be a trusted source of information to people of every background and belief," he said in the memo.

The Google CEO also reportedly reminded employees to adhere strictly to Google’s Community Guidelines and Personal Political Activity Policy. Pichai stressed that safeguarding the integrity of the platform is of utmost importance, especially during such a significant event. “We must maintain that trust,” he wrote, saying that it is part of Google’s broader mission to make information accessible and useful.

“We will and must maintain that. In that spirit, it’s important that everyone continue to follow our Community Guidelines and Personal Political Activity Policy,” he wrote in the internal memo as reported by IANS.

Highlighting the teams’ ongoing efforts, Pichai mentioned that staff across Google and YouTube have been working diligently to provide accurate and reliable information to voters. This commitment is consistent with Google’s approach during elections around the world. In 2024 alone, the tech giant supported major elections in countries like France, India, and the UK, benefiting over a billion voters.

Pichai also noted that the outcome of the U.S. election would have far-reaching implications, influencing discussions in homes across the globe. However, he reassured employees that regardless of the result, Google’s mission to organise global information and make it widely accessible would remain steadfast. He highlighted how artificial intelligence continues to play a significant role in driving this mission, contributing to innovation and economic growth.

The tech leader’s remarks came in the context of growing scrutiny on how digital platforms manage information during elections. Misinformation remains a major concern, and tech companies face increased pressure to act responsibly. To address this, Pichai reminded employees of their shared responsibility to uphold the company’s standards.

In a related move, Meta, formerly Facebook, extended its ban on new political ads beyond the original November 5 end date, aiming to mitigate potential misinformation and maintain a secure online environment during and after the election period.