Blinken says authoritarian regimes using tech to undermine democracy

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves while disembarking from an aircraft, as he arrives to attend the third Summit for Democracy, at Osan Air Base, in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, March 17, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool

SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday technology should be employed to sustain democratic values in the face of efforts by authoritarian and repressive regimes to deploy technology to undermine democracy and human rights.

Like-minded governments and their people were working together to promote free and fair elections, Blinken said, noting safeguarding democracy was a collective effort.