The regulation of online political micro-targeting in Europe external link

Internet Policy Review, vol. 8, num: 4, 2020

Abstract

In this paper, we examine how online political micro-targeting is regulated in Europe. While there are no specific rules on such micro-targeting, there are general rules that apply. We focus on three fields of law: data protection law, freedom of expression, and sector-specific rules for political advertising; for the latter we examine four countries. We argue that the rules in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are necessary, but not sufficient. We show that political advertising, including online political micro-targeting, is protected by the right to freedom of expression. That right is not absolute, however. From a European human rights perspective, it is possible for lawmakers to limit the possibilities for political advertising. Indeed, some countries ban TV advertising for political parties during elections.

Advertising, Data protection law, elections, europe, frontpage, Micro-targeting, Politics, Privacy, Regulering, Vrijheid van meningsuiting

Bibtex

Article{Dobber2020, title = {The regulation of online political micro-targeting in Europe}, author = {Dobber, T. and Fahy, R. and Zuiderveen Borgesius, F.}, url = {https://policyreview.info/articles/analysis/regulation-online-political-micro-targeting-europe}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.14763/2019.4.1440}, year = {0116}, date = {2020-01-16}, journal = {Internet Policy Review}, volume = {8}, number = {4}, pages = {}, abstract = {In this paper, we examine how online political micro-targeting is regulated in Europe. While there are no specific rules on such micro-targeting, there are general rules that apply. We focus on three fields of law: data protection law, freedom of expression, and sector-specific rules for political advertising; for the latter we examine four countries. We argue that the rules in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are necessary, but not sufficient. We show that political advertising, including online political micro-targeting, is protected by the right to freedom of expression. That right is not absolute, however. From a European human rights perspective, it is possible for lawmakers to limit the possibilities for political advertising. Indeed, some countries ban TV advertising for political parties during elections.}, keywords = {Advertising, Data protection law, elections, europe, frontpage, Micro-targeting, Politics, Privacy, Regulering, Vrijheid van meningsuiting}, }

Talking with and about politicians on Twitter. An analysis of tweets containing @-mentions of candidates in the Brazilian presidential elections external link

Medeiros, D., Bastian, M. & Trilling, D.
Revista Latinoamericana de Opinión Pública, num: 6, pp: 89-115, 2016

elections, political communication, Social media, Twitter

Bibtex

Article{Medeiros2016, title = {Talking with and about politicians on Twitter. An analysis of tweets containing @-mentions of candidates in the Brazilian presidential elections}, author = {Medeiros, D. and Bastian, M. and Trilling, D.}, year = {0101}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Revista Latinoamericana de Opinión Pública}, number = {6}, keywords = {elections, political communication, Social media, Twitter}, }

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.

Democracy, elections, frontpage, microtargeting, political campaigns, Privacy, profiling

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}, }

Media coverage of elections: the legal framework in Europe external link

Fahy, R., Apa, E., Bassini, M., Bruna, A., Cabrera Blázquez, F., Cunningham, I., Etteldorf, C., Goldberg, D., Granchet, A., Klimkiewicz, B., Richter, A. & Rozendaal, M.
2017

elections, europe, european audiovisual observatory, frontpage, iris special, medialaw

Bibtex

Report{Fahy2017b, title = {Media coverage of elections: the legal framework in Europe}, author = {Fahy, R. and Apa, E. and Bassini, M. and Bruna, A. and Cabrera Blázquez, F. and Cunningham, I. and Etteldorf, C. and Goldberg, D. and Granchet, A. and Klimkiewicz, B. and Richter, A. and Rozendaal, M.}, url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/IRIS_Special_2017_1.pdf}, year = {0914}, date = {2017-09-14}, keywords = {elections, europe, european audiovisual observatory, frontpage, iris special, medialaw}, }