microtargeting

Microtargeted propaganda by foreign actors: An interdisciplinary exploration external link

Fahy, R., Dobber, T., Zuiderveen Borgesius, F. & Shires, J.

Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law, pp: 856-877, 2022

Abstract

This article discusses a problem that has received scant attention in literature: microtargeted propaganda by foreign actors. Microtargeting involves collecting information about people, and using that information to show them targeted political advertisements. Such microtargeting enables advertisers to target ads to specific groups of people, for instance people who visit certain websites, forums, or Facebook groups. This article focuses on one type of microtargeting: microtargeting by foreign actors. For example, Russia has targeted certain groups in the US with ads, aiming to sow discord. Foreign actors could also try to influence European elections, for instance by advertising in favour of a certain political party. Foreign propaganda possibilities existed before microtargeting. This article explores two questions. In what ways, if any, is microtargeted propaganda by foreign actors different from other foreign propaganda? What could lawmakers in Europe do to mitigate the risks of microtargeted propaganda?

Links

EU law, frontpage, gegevensbescherming, microtargeting, propaganda, Regulering, Vrijheid van meningsuiting

Bibtex

Article{nokey,
	title = {Microtargeted propaganda by foreign actors: An interdisciplinary exploration},
	author = {Fahy, R. and Dobber, T. and Zuiderveen Borgesius, F. and Shires, J.},
	url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/MaastrichtJournalofEuropeanandComparativeLaw_2021_6.pdf},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.1177/1023263X211042471},
	year = {0125},
	date = {2022-01-25},
	journal = {Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law},
	abstract = {This article discusses a problem that has received scant attention in literature: microtargeted propaganda by foreign actors. Microtargeting involves collecting information about people, and using that information to show them targeted political advertisements. Such microtargeting enables advertisers to target ads to specific groups of people, for instance people who visit certain websites, forums, or Facebook groups. This article focuses on one type of microtargeting: microtargeting by foreign actors. For example, Russia has targeted certain groups in the US with ads, aiming to sow discord. Foreign actors could also try to influence European elections, for instance by advertising in favour of a certain political party. Foreign propaganda possibilities existed before microtargeting. This article explores two questions. In what ways, if any, is microtargeted propaganda by foreign actors different from other foreign propaganda? What could lawmakers in Europe do to mitigate the risks of microtargeted propaganda?},
	keywords = {EU law, frontpage, gegevensbescherming, microtargeting, propaganda, Regulering, Vrijheid van meningsuiting},
}

Online politieke microtargeting: Een zegen of een vloek voor de democratie? external link

Zuiderveen Borgesius, F., Möller, J., Dobber, T., Kruikemeier, S., Irion, K., Stapel, S., Fahy, R., Bodó, B. & Vreese, C.H. de

Nederlands Juristenblad (NJB), vol. 2019, num: 10, pp: 528-669, 2019

Abstract

Voor online politieke microtargeting wordt het online-gedrag van mensen in kaart gebracht en worden de verzamelde gegevens gebruikt om mensen gerichte politieke advertenties te tonen. Microtargeting is vanuit de VS komen overwaaien naar Europa en heeft voor- en nadelen voor de democratie. Microtargeting kan politieke partijen helpen om mensen effectief te bereiken en kan politieke betrokkenheid stimuleren. Maar microtargeting kan ook een bedreiging vormen voor de democratie. Zo kan een politieke partij zich verschillend voordoen aan verschillende mensen. Bovendien bedreigt het verzamelen van persoonsgegevens onze privacy. Dit artikel brengt de beloftes en bedreigingen van microtargeting voor de democratie in kaart en schetst mogelijkheden voor beleidsmakers om het gebruik van microtargeting te reguleren.

Bibtex

Article{Borgesius2019b,
	title = {Online politieke microtargeting: Een zegen of een vloek voor de democratie?},
	author = {Zuiderveen Borgesius, F. and Möller, J. and Dobber, T. and Kruikemeier, S. and Irion, K. and Stapel, S. and Fahy, R. and Bodó, B. and Vreese, C.H. de},
	url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/NJB_2019.pdf},
	year = {0319},
	date = {2019-03-19},
	journal = {Nederlands Juristenblad (NJB)},
	volume = {2019},
	number = {10},
	pages = {528-669},
	abstract = {Voor online politieke microtargeting wordt het online-gedrag van mensen in kaart gebracht en worden de verzamelde gegevens gebruikt om mensen gerichte politieke advertenties te tonen. Microtargeting is vanuit de VS komen overwaaien naar Europa en heeft voor- en nadelen voor de democratie. Microtargeting kan politieke partijen helpen om mensen effectief te bereiken en kan politieke betrokkenheid stimuleren. Maar microtargeting kan ook een bedreiging vormen voor de democratie. Zo kan een politieke partij zich verschillend voordoen aan verschillende mensen. Bovendien bedreigt het verzamelen van persoonsgegevens onze privacy. Dit artikel brengt de beloftes en bedreigingen van microtargeting voor de democratie in kaart en schetst mogelijkheden voor beleidsmakers om het gebruik van microtargeting te reguleren.},
	keywords = {advertenties, democratie, frontpage, microtargeting, Persoonsgegevens, politiek, Privacy},
}

Online Political Microtargeting: Promises and Threats for Democracy external link

Zuiderveen Borgesius, F., Möller, J., Kruikemeier, S., Fahy, R., Irion, K., Dobber, T., Bodó, B. & Vreese, C.H. de

Utrecht Law Review, vol. 14, num: 1, pp: 82-96, 2018

Abstract

Online political microtargeting involves monitoring people’s online behaviour, and using the collected data, sometimes enriched with other data, to show people-targeted political advertisements. Online political microtargeting is widely used in the US; Europe may not be far behind. This paper maps microtargeting’s promises and threats to democracy. For example, microtargeting promises to optimise the match between the electorate’s concerns and political campaigns, and to boost campaign engagement and political participation. But online microtargeting could also threaten democracy. For instance, a political party could, misleadingly, present itself as a different one-issue party to different individuals. And data collection for microtargeting raises privacy concerns. We sketch possibilities for policymakers if they seek to regulate online political microtargeting. We discuss which measures would be possible, while complying with the right to freedom of expression under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Bibtex

Article{Borgesius2018,
	title = {Online Political Microtargeting: Promises and Threats for Democracy},
	author = {Zuiderveen Borgesius, F. and Möller, J. and Kruikemeier, S. and Fahy, R. and Irion, K. and Dobber, T. and Bodó, B. and Vreese, C.H. de},
	url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/UtrechtLawReview.pdf},
	year = {0213},
	date = {2018-02-13},
	journal = {Utrecht Law Review},
	volume = {14},
	number = {1},
	pages = {82-96},
	abstract = {Online political microtargeting involves monitoring people’s online behaviour, and using the collected data, sometimes enriched with other data, to show people-targeted political advertisements. Online political microtargeting is widely used in the US; Europe may not be far behind. This paper maps microtargeting’s promises and threats to democracy. For example, microtargeting promises to optimise the match between the electorate’s concerns and political campaigns, and to boost campaign engagement and political participation. But online microtargeting could also threaten democracy. For instance, a political party could, misleadingly, present itself as a different one-issue party to different individuals. And data collection for microtargeting raises privacy concerns. We sketch possibilities for policymakers if they seek to regulate online political microtargeting. We discuss which measures would be possible, while complying with the right to freedom of expression under the European Convention on Human Rights.},
	keywords = {Democracy, elections, frontpage, microtargeting, political campaigns, Privacy, profiling},
}