Bitcom Studies: Voters are afraid of manipulation in elections through social media

88 percent of the people are entitled to vote that foreign governments are trying to manipulate the upcoming federal elections through social media. 45 percent believe that Russia may try to manipulate elections, the United States (42 percent) and clearly ahead of China (26 percent). This is one of the results of a survey among voters, who carried out the BICOCOM Industry Association before the upcoming Bundestag election. About one third of the respondents have already appeared in false reports on the network.

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For a good two -thirds (69 percent) of eligible voters, internet is an important source of information. On news websites or newspapers, editorial offices, TV or radio apps, 63 percent of internet users get more information about federal elections. Social media and Messenger services finished second with 51 percent.

38 Questions, 28 parties: Wahl-O-Mat is now online for Bundestag election

Among social media users, 56 percent informed themselves about the choice on Facebook. 35 percent, 32 percent on WhatsApp, 25 percent on WhatsApp and 18 percent with Instagram. Tikkok plays with about one percent. The study also informed about why the manipulation of social media was caught. Because only 37 percent of the people in the survey said that they share information before sharing through social media. In contrast, this means 63 percent of users of social media uncontrolled.

Traffic Light Digital Policy: Risk Transfer

BCOM has also asked the participants to evaluate the digital policy of traffic light alliance by the school. On average, the respondents honored the old federal government with 4.5 low flattery – well, as BCOCOM President Ralph Wintergrarst. So he completed one third of only 334 digital policy projects, which he wrote himself in this legislation in the task book.

According to the survey, the posts of digital policy of parties are important for 36 percent entitled to vote in their election decision. The digitization of schools and the fight against internet crime is especially to suppress subjects. To carry forward digitization in Germany, 71 percent of people entitled to vote require the creation of an independent digital ministry. 79 percent believes that the new federal government should focus on digital policy.

For the orientation of voters on digital policy, the Industry Association has Bitkomat Published. Similar to the famous Wahl-O-Mat, it helps compare its digital policy preferences with the respective positions of parties represented in Bundestag. C’T articles of “switch posts” also analyze the digital policy agendas of the parties.

(Who)