Suitability of the Principle of Non-intervention as a Rule Against Cybernetic Electorate Targeting Information Operations
Suitability of the Principle of Non-intervention as a Rule Against Cybernetic Electorate Targeting Information Operations

Summary/Abstract: The principle of non-intervention belongs amongst the most often discussedrules of international law with the potential to regulate cyber information (dis- andmisinformation) operations carried out by one state and dedicated to influence anotherstate’s elections results (through the electorate). Contributions to those discussions differsignifcantly however as to the suitability of the rule for this purpose. This article tacklesthe issue in a step-by-step analysis, frst dealing with the elements of the principle ofnon-intervention and its position in the systematics of the law of international peaceand security, secondly analysing the applicability of the rule in cyberspace, in order tothirdly determine and evaluate what are the critical issues in the application of therule to cyber information operations targeting the electorate of another state. Becausethe principle belongs to the most approximate rules of international peace and securityregulation to tackle these operations, the last section is dedicated to recommendationsthat if applied, they might increase the likelihood of the applicability of the principleof non-intervention to the operations discussed.

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