The emergence of social networks has given rise to new forms of electoral manipulation, giving political actors sophisticated tools to influence public opinions. Recent elections across the African continent have highlighted the growing use of automated Twitter bots and fictitious Facebook pages to propagate biased narratives and discredit opponents.
Manipulation techniques go beyond simple campaign promises, weaving themselves into the very fabric of online conversations to shape voter perceptions. Groups using foreign public relations firms have been caught orchestrating disinformation campaigns, stoking racial tensions or spreading false information about candidates.
Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have been criticized for being slow to respond to such abuse, allowing networks of inauthentic pages and accounts to flourish until they are eventually detected and removed. But even then, the damage is already done, with millions of people exposed to manipulated content.
Governments themselves have been involved, whether by funding social media influencers to spread disinformation or creating fake accounts to promote their political agendas. Violations of rules on social media platforms are common, with monitoring and compliance often remaining insufficient to counter these malicious practices.
The rise of generative artificial intelligence opens new horizons for electoral manipulation, hinting at even more sophisticated and deceptive campaigns. Regulations in this area continue to lag behind technological advances, accentuating the challenges of preserving the integrity of democratic processes.
Faced with this worrying reality, it is crucial for voters to exercise critical thinking and discernment when dealing with the information they encounter online. Vigilance and education remain essential safeguards against manipulation attempts aimed at distorting election results and undermining democracy.