Session
Organizer 1: Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Organizer 2: Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Organizer 2: Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 1: Fernanda Domingos, Government, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Tim Harper, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Jan Kralik, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 2: Tim Harper, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Jan Kralik, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Format
Theater
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The 90-minute duration allows for a comprehensive exploration of cyber interference with democracy, balancing expert presentations with interactive discussions. The theater-style panel auditorium setup is ideal for this format, as it accommodates a large and diverse audience while ensuring clear visibility and engagement with speakers. This layout supports a structured yet dynamic session, enabling panelists to present key insights while facilitating moderated discussions and audience participation. Given the complexity of cyber interference—spanning legal, technical, and policy dimensions—this format fosters a multidisciplinary exchange of perspectives. Additionally, the auditorium setting encourages engagement from stakeholders across government, civil society, academia, and the private sector, reinforcing the session’s multistakeholder approach. The chosen format ensures that participants leave with concrete takeaways and actionable insights to address cyber threats to democratic processes.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The 90-minute duration allows for a comprehensive exploration of cyber interference with democracy, balancing expert presentations with interactive discussions. The theater-style panel auditorium setup is ideal for this format, as it accommodates a large and diverse audience while ensuring clear visibility and engagement with speakers. This layout supports a structured yet dynamic session, enabling panelists to present key insights while facilitating moderated discussions and audience participation. Given the complexity of cyber interference—spanning legal, technical, and policy dimensions—this format fosters a multidisciplinary exchange of perspectives. Additionally, the auditorium setting encourages engagement from stakeholders across government, civil society, academia, and the private sector, reinforcing the session’s multistakeholder approach. The chosen format ensures that participants leave with concrete takeaways and actionable insights to address cyber threats to democratic processes.
Policy Question(s)
1. How should regulatory frameworks address the liability of digital platforms in shaping public discourse, protecting electoral integrity, freedom of expression, and the protection of public trust, with particular focus on platform neutrality?
2. Do bots, avatars, and fake accounts have freedom of expression, and what are the legal and ethical implications if AI is granted responsibility or rights?
3. What regulatory and international cooperation mechanisms can help mitigate cyberinterference with democracy while protecting fundamental rights?
What will participants gain from attending this session? • Participants will have the opportunity to explore specific instances of cyber interference in democratic processes, specifically through disinformation campaigns.
• The session will emphasize the critical role of international cooperation and multi-stakeholder engagement in tackling cyber interference. Participants will explore existing frameworks, partnerships, and mechanisms that enhance collaboration among governments, civil society, tech companies, and international organizations to protect democratic processes from digital threats.
• The session will foster a dialogue on critical policy questions related to the regulation of digital platforms, the accountability of AI and bots, and the protection of free expression in the context of cyber interference. Participants will engage in discussions aimed at shaping policies that balance cybersecurity, democratic integrity, and human rights, with a focus on actionable solutions for mitigating cyber interference.
Description:
Digital technologies have reshaped democratic processes, expanding avenues for political participation and access to information. However, they have also introduced new risks, such as cyber interference in elections, disinformation campaigns, and the manipulation of public discourse. "Cyber interference with democracy" refers to the use of information and communication technologies to manipulate or undermine democratic institutions, processes, or public trust in governance. In 2024/2025, the challenge of cyber interference has once again emerged as a critical issue across multiple countries. This session will examine the intersection of cybercrime, freedom of expression, and democracy, with a focus on how cyber threats impact democratic resilience. The session will specifically focus on identifying: • Legal principles protecting electoral integrity, freedom of expression, and the protection of public trust in democratic process, including liability of platforms. • Regulatory challenges for ensuring neutrality, addressing the use of bots, avatars, and fake accounts. • The measures needed to prevent and respond to such cyber interference in a way that aligns with principles of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. By bringing together policymakers, legal experts, civil society, and tech sector representatives, the discussion will explore regulatory approaches, accountability mechanisms, and human rights safeguards in addressing cyberinterference. Speakers will include: 1) Center for Democracy & Technology 2) criminal justice expert (Brazil), 3) representative of service providers 4) representative of a regulatory authority 5) Council of Europe, as moderators of the discussion
Digital technologies have reshaped democratic processes, expanding avenues for political participation and access to information. However, they have also introduced new risks, such as cyber interference in elections, disinformation campaigns, and the manipulation of public discourse. "Cyber interference with democracy" refers to the use of information and communication technologies to manipulate or undermine democratic institutions, processes, or public trust in governance. In 2024/2025, the challenge of cyber interference has once again emerged as a critical issue across multiple countries. This session will examine the intersection of cybercrime, freedom of expression, and democracy, with a focus on how cyber threats impact democratic resilience. The session will specifically focus on identifying: • Legal principles protecting electoral integrity, freedom of expression, and the protection of public trust in democratic process, including liability of platforms. • Regulatory challenges for ensuring neutrality, addressing the use of bots, avatars, and fake accounts. • The measures needed to prevent and respond to such cyber interference in a way that aligns with principles of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. By bringing together policymakers, legal experts, civil society, and tech sector representatives, the discussion will explore regulatory approaches, accountability mechanisms, and human rights safeguards in addressing cyberinterference. Speakers will include: 1) Center for Democracy & Technology 2) criminal justice expert (Brazil), 3) representative of service providers 4) representative of a regulatory authority 5) Council of Europe, as moderators of the discussion
Expected Outcomes
Participants will be encouraged to continue engaging in multistakeholder dialogue at domestic and international levels, leveraging the outcomes of the session to drive practical implementation. This ongoing dialogue will foster collaboration among governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to address cyber interference in democratic processes. Stakeholders will therefore be better positioned to implement effective countermeasures and safeguards against digital threats to democracy.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the various forms of cyber interference with democracy. The session will equip attendees with insights into the practical application of existing legal frameworks, policies, and technological tools that can be used to address these issues, while ensuring respect for human rights and democratic principles.
Building on the session's findings, capacity-building activities implemented by the CoE and other international partners will focus on strengthening the skills and knowledge of stakeholders in combating cyber interference with democracy.
Hybrid Format: The session will be structured to encourage active participation from both in-person and remote attendees. An online moderator in addition to the onsite moderator will facilitate audience interaction, ensuring online and onsite questions and comments receive balanced attention. At least one-third to half of the session will be dedicated to audience discussions, allowing diverse perspectives to be shared. To enhance engagement, brief live polls or reaction prompts may be used to gauge opinions from both online and in-person audiences.