The internet age has ushered in a transformational era of political communication, allowing unprecedented worldwide access to information. However, technological advancement has also resulted in the weaponization of information, a situation that poses a significant threat to the integrity of electoral processes.
This essay digs into the concept of information weaponization and investigates its negative effects on electoral systems, based on observations from the 2018 Brazilian elections and the 2016 US elections.
Smith (2019) defines information weaponization as the deliberate exploitation of information to manipulate public opinion, influence decision-making processes, and achieve political goals. This strategy includes strategically disseminating misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda using multiple media channels such as social media platforms, news sources, and online forums. To achieve its goals, information weaponization exploits cognitive biases, preys on emotions, and magnifies existing societal divisions.
The 2018 Brazilian elections provide a dramatic example of how information weaponization can undermine the democratic process (Carvalho, 2020). During this election, a rise in the transmission of false information via social media platforms was critical in altering popular attitudes. False information about candidates, political parties, and election processes flooded the internet, influencing voter opinions and ultimately influencing the election outcome.
One major case involves the spread of bogus news about the Workers’ Party candidate, Fernando Haddad. False claims that Haddad supported problematic........