Candidate according to the elector’s preference: the influence of disinformation, bots and algorithms in voters’ conviction

Abstract

The present paper aims to analyze future perspectives and solutions to the problem of voter manipulation in electoral propaganda, produced by disinformation, as well as the use of robots, algorithms for voter profiling, while guaranteeing the electoral principle and fundamental right to freedom of speech. The deductive method was employed along with the descriptive-exploratory, as a procedural approach, and the bibliographic, jurisprudential and documentary techniques were utilized as research tools. It was concluded that social media platforms and others medias can combat the manipulation of electoral propaganda through self-regulation. The State, through the executive branch, employing educational measures targeting citizens, and the judiciary, by judging on a case-by-case, in a proportional and/or reasonable manner and preferably from a preventive perspective, must confront this challenge in order to always uphold freedom of expression.