Efforts to influence U.S. voters ahead of the 2018 midterm elections in November appear to be well underway, though officials are hesitant to say who
Social Media and Democracy articles on Democracy Chronicles
This Social Media and Democracy section highlights the ongoing saga of how this new type of communications technology impacts the progress of free and fair elections across the globe. Whether social media brings benefit or harm to democracy is an area of heavy debate. Be sure to also check out our Election Technology section and our articles on Technology Dissidents, the Internet and Voting or Journalism and Free Speech.
Protests Target New Ugandan Social Media Tax
Daily tax of 53 cents charged to access online services such as Facebook, Google, Whatsapp and Skype
Bill Passed to Block Popular Egyptian Social Media Accounts
The legislation labels personal social media accounts and empowers authorities to block them as “fake news.”
World’s Dictatorships Go All Out to Control Social Media Use
Authorities are waging a battle to control what their people see and hear, with the goal of limiting dissent
On the Use of White House Twitter Accounts Against Democrats
Policy drawing complaints that government resources are being used to undercut political rivals
Court Battle Over Trump’s Blocking Twitter Followers to Continue
A federal judge’s ruling that Trump may not legally block Twitter users from his account will be appealed
Papua New Guinea Facebook Ban Would be a Mistake
The government Papua New Guinea is considering blocking Facebook while it investigates how to regulate it
Facebook Ads Reveal Russian Effort to Stoke Political Division
Most of the ads are issue-based, pushing arguments for and against immigration, LGBT issues and gun rights
REVEALED: Facebook’s Troll Farm Problem Worse than Thought
Facebook has removed more than 270 accounts it determined to be controlled by the Russia-based “troll farm”
Brazil judge orders Facebook to cut fake news on slain activist
Judge ordered Facebook to remove fake news posted about slain black rights’ activist Marielle Franco