Bundestag election: Office for the Protection of the Constitution warns against disinformation

The State Office for the Protection of the Constitution (LfV) in Saxony warns of disinformation in the run-up to the federal elections on February 23. Specifically, it is about "attempts by foreign powers to influence the formation of political opinion, especially by spreading so-called fake news", the office explained. Disinformation also aims to undermine trust in democratic institutions.

"The risk of being confronted with disinformation in the run-up to the Bundestag elections is high," emphasized LfV President Dirk-Martin Christian. We have to be prepared for disinformation campaigns to take up and reinterpret controversial election issues, for example, in order to cause social outrage with fake content. Parties, candidates or the election process itself could also become the focus of such campaigns.

Fake news campaigns use artificial intelligence

According to Christian, false information plays into the hands of right-wing extremists in particular. They pick it up and spread it unfiltered. Creators of large-scale disinformation campaigns are also increasingly using the possibilities of artificial intelligence. They can also be used to produce fictitious images and high-quality audio or video contributions for social media.

"Disinformation works with distortions, scandalization and even slander. Especially in the context of the upcoming Bundestag elections, disinformation campaigns are therefore an attack on our democracy," emphasized the head of the authorities. Because they can develop a dangerous momentum of their own in social media, educating people about them is a key element in protecting democratic elections.

Questioning information instead of immediately spreading it

According to the LfV, content in social media should first be questioned instead of spreading it without checking it. This is particularly important in the case of highly emotive posts in which allegedly
"unbelievable facts" are listed or supposedly scandalous "revelations"
presented. A brief internet search often helps with
the classification.