Protection of personal data and democracy: fake news, voter manipulation and the case of Cambridge Analytica

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18316/redes.v7i3.5610

Keywords:

Data Protection, Democracy, Fake News, Electoral Advertising, Information Society.

Abstract

Within the context of the Information Society, this article analyzes the importance of protecting the personal data left by users on the Internet, in order to minimize possible manipulation of the voter through instruments such as fake news or targeted advertising. Among other evils, these malicious expedients obscure the candidate’s figure in regard to his past, his most relevant ideas, and propositions. The article describes the Cambridge Analytica case that, from the data collection of millions of potential voters, even obtained in a very questionable way, produced material specifically directed to several predetermined profiles. It is believed that this performance eventually influenced, at levels still to be better investigated, the 2016 US presidential election that culminated in the victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump. The article also addresses how some legislation has come to address the issue of protection of personal data in virtual environments. Regarding the methodology, this is a qualitative study with results obtained primarily by induction.

Author Biographies

Marcelo Guerra Martins, Centro Universitário das Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas - FMU

Graduado em Direito pela Universidade de São Paulo (1993). Mestre em Direito Civil pela Universidade de São Paulo (2000). Doutor em Direito do Estado pela Universidade de São Paulo (2010). Professor da Graduação e do Mestrado em Direito do Centro Universitário das Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas, São Paulo, Brasil. Juiz Federal em São Paulo. Foi Juiz Auxiliar e Instrutor no Supremo Tribunal Federal (2009 a 2012).

Victor Augusto Tateoki, Centro Universitário das Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas - FMU

Mestrando em Direito no Centro Universitário das Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas – FMU; Especialista em Direito da Comunicação Digital pela FMU; Pós-graduando em Direito Digital e Compliance pela Faculdade Damásio – FD; Graduado em História e em Direito pelo Centro Universitário Toledo – UNITOLEDO. Professor de História. Advogado.

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Published

2019-10-21

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 3 (2019)

Section

Articles

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