Technology and social media are deeply intertwined with modern elections. Technological tools and platforms can enhance voter experience, election integrity, accessibility, and the dissemination of information, but can also be exploited by malign actors to disrupt and discredit democratic processes and spread mis- and disinformation.

The partner organizations of the ACE Electoral Knowledge Network strive to support credible, peaceful, and trusted elections throughout the world, and the stakeholders that oversee and participate in them. When aligned with our mission, we welcome opportunities to coordinate and collaborate with technology and social media companies to proactively identify opportunities to strengthen elections, while also meeting emerging challenges. In entering and operating partnerships with these entities, we will work in accordance with the following guidelines:

Institutional Independence: When acting as the ACE Electoral Knowledge Network, the partners will only collaborate with technology and social media companies in a manner that preserves the institutional independence of the partner organizations and the network as a whole. ACE Partners retain the right to publish research and articles, secure intellectual property rights, and protect personal data in line with their own internal policies and without seeking approval from technology and social media partners, even in cases where ACE receives funding from such entities. ACE partners also retain the right to register concerns and reservations regarding activities or behaviors of technology and social media companies that they establish professional relationships with, should those actions contravene democratic principles.

Transparency and Accountability: All donations, grants or contracts from technology and social media companies will be reviewed before award and periodically thereafter by the ACE Steering Board. The ACE Electoral Knowledge Network will regularly disclose such receipt of funds from technology and social media companies through its website. This information will be available under the ‘About Us’ tab, along with a brief description of how the funds are used to enhance democratic elections.

Diversity in Collaboration: The ACE Electoral Knowledge Network is open to collaborative and positive engagement with a broad range of technology and social media companies. To foster inclusive discussion and innovative problem solving, we will seek diverse sources of funding and partnership opportunities in our mission to strengthen election processes.

Data Protection: The ACE Electoral Knowledge Network will continue to comply with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These standards will be upheld in all relationships with technology and social media partner organizations.

Branding: The names, brands, logos, and other intellectual property of the ACE Electoral Knowledge Network and its partner organizations cannot be used by any technology, social media or other external partner without advance, explicit, written permission from the ACE Coordination Unit, or the leadership of the relevant ACE Partner organization(s).  

Applicability: These guidelines will regulate the operations of each ACE Electoral Knowledge Network partner in relation to their support for and contributions to the Network. Each ACE partner will also uphold its own internal policies, where they exist, regarding transparency, accountability, data protection, and independence.

Development of Guidelines: These guidelines are consistent with, and adapted from, the IFES Terms of Engagement with Technology Companies, as well as the Funding and Conflicts Policy that regulates the activities of the Design 4 Democracy Coalition.