BOŢI, TROLI ŞI MICRO-INFLUENCERI. PROVOCĂRI JURIDICE PENTRU DEMOCRAŢIA SUB ASEDIU
BOTS, TROLLS, AND MICRO-INFLUENCERS: LEGAL CHALLENGES FOR DEMOCRACY UNDER SIEGE

Summary/Abstract: This research article examines the legal challenges associated with digital election manipulation, focusing on the case study of the electoral campaign of Georgescu, a candidate in the 2024 Romanian presidential election. The first section explores emerging forms of electoral interference facilitated by Artificial Intelligence, including the deployment of bot farms, coordinated troll networks, and the strategic use of micro-influencers as vectors of disinformation and opinion shaping. The second section analyzes the Romanian Constitutional Court’s decision to annul the presidential election results due to suspected interference in the electoral process. Additionally, the article assesses current legislative gaps, the regulatory challenges posed by digital platforms, and the pressing need for stronger legal frameworks to ensure transparency in online election campaigns. In conclusion, the article proposes key legal reforms to safeguard electoral integrity, including stricter accountability mechanisms for digital platforms, sanctions for undisclosed political content promotion, and enhanced institutional tools to counter election-related disinformation.

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