Google Restricts Gemini AI from Answering Questions on Upcoming Elections in Your Country

If you're looking to ask Google’s AI chatbot a question about an upcoming election, you'll need to do so from a country where no elections are occurring. we has discovered that the tech giant has implemented restrictions on queries made through Gemini when they pertain to elections in any region experiencing electoral activity.

Google has confirmed that these limitations aim to minimize the dissemination of information on election-related inquiries worldwide. This restriction is currently active in the U.S. and is gradually rolling out in India and other key countries approaching elections in the upcoming months.

This shift not only underscores the role of generative AI in the electoral process but also reveals Google’s apprehension about the potential misuse of the technology and the risk of producing inaccurate or misleading information. The implementation of restrictions in India coincided with government advisories mandating tech companies to seek government approval before launching new AI models.

When inquiries regarding political parties, candidates, or politicians are made, Gemini provides a standard response: “I’m still learning how to answer this question. In the meantime, try Google Search.” Interestingly, the AI tool appears to return responses when queries are submitted with typos, suggesting that constant adjustments will be necessary to keep pace with user behavior.

“Out of an abundance of caution on such an important topic, we have begun to roll out restrictions on the types of election-related queries for which Gemini will return responses. We take our responsibility for providing high-quality information for these types of queries seriously and are continuously working to enhance our protections,” Google stated in a blog post regarding the changes in India.

This update was released just before India announced its general elections. Earlier, an advisory from New Delhi instructed tech companies to refrain from releasing new AI models in the country without prior government consent. Following some backlash from global venture capitalists and AI startup leaders, the Indian government clarified that the restrictions primarily apply to “significant” tech firms, not startups.

The advisory emerged after a controversy involving Gemini and the Indian government, triggered by the AI tool responding to a query about Prime Minister Narendra Modi using terms that implied fascism. India’s Deputy IT Minister, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, labeled it a “direct violation” of the IT Rules, 2021.

In addition, Google recently suspended Gemini’s capability to generate images after it presented historical inaccuracies, announcing plans to reintroduce an improved version shortly.

As of now, it remains uncertain whether Google will lift these restrictions on election-related queries once the elections are concluded later this year. We have reached out to Google for clarification and will provide updates as we receive further information on the countries where these changes are currently implemented.