ProjectFearlessnessFeb 23, 2025

Germany goes to the polls today with a very real far right threat and facing the biggest stress test of foreign interference in a democracy yet.

Far right disinformation and influence operations have been coming at them from all angles- Russia, TikTok, Twitter, Musk, even the U.S. vice president has been having a go.

We can't really say this is a free and fair election, but keep everything crossed.

#NoAfD

https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-linked-fake-videos-spread-german-election-fraud-claims-authorities-warn/

Russia-linked fake videos spread German election fraud claims, authorities warn

Disinfo claiming AfD ballots are missing or being shredded is spreading online just days before Germany’s election.

POLITICO
Show threadProjectFearlessnessFeb 23, 2025

An analysis of political bias on algorithmic recommendations on social media in Germany shows a huge far right bias. In percentages-

78% on Tik Tok.
64% on Twitter.
59% on Meta.

This is in a country where support for the far right is at about 20%.

#NoAfD

https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/19/study-of-tiktok-x-for-you-feeds-in-germany-finds-far-right-political-bias-ahead-of-federal-elections/

Study of TikTok, X 'For You' feeds in Germany finds far-right political bias ahead of federal elections | TechCrunch

Recommendation algorithms operated by social media giants TikTok and X have shown evidence of substantial far-right political bias in Germany ahead of a

TechCrunch
Show threadBina FemarollFeb 23, 2025
@ProjectFearlessness Hopefully, the European Union/DSA will show sharpest teeth.
Show threadProjectFearlessnessFeb 23, 2025
@knopi Yes, I am still hopeful the EU will clamp down on social media disinformation, but when ? It's too late for Germany now, who have to go to the polls knowing the results will be distorted.
Show threadBina FemarollFeb 23, 2025
@ProjectFearlessness Thanks from my heart for your words! I fear the slow processes of enforcement. This is the major problem of our democracy. In general. The EU is doing an excellent job in setting up a juridical framework: DORA, RED, CRA, NIS2, and the GDPR etc. But we lose in bringing the regulations into effectiveness. And I suspect, it will be worse with a conservative government in Germany. The right wing turn sets us into a state of fear, and we are not really aware of it.
Show threadProjectFearlessness
@knopi
I'm not sure if this helps, but you are not alone in Germany. Online election manipulation has been happening everywhere for years. The German one has just been so overt and relentless that maybe it will be a wake up call.
Feb 23, 2025 at 3:57pmWeb
Show threadBina FemarollFeb 23, 2025
@ProjectFearlessness Well, the most important thing: a global problem, but with you we are us!
Show threadProjectFearlessnessFeb 23, 2025
@knopi
Yes, it looks like 4 out of 5 Germans are not susceptible to election interference. That's a good starting point.