Computational propaganda and online election interference pose a threat to the conduct of free and fair elections and to the legitimacy of the democratic process itself. Since the last EP elections in 2014 a string of votes worldwide were marked by disinformation campaigns, manipulation of social media algorithms and other attempts of online interference. Against this background it is of little surprise that the European Commission and national governments are increasingly worried about the safety, integrity and legitimacy of the EP elections of May.
Paul-Jasper Dittrich is advisor at the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development, he formally worked for the Jacques Delors Centre.