discouraging its use. To start to address these challenges, we need to develop stronger rules and
norms for the use of social media, big data and new information technologies during elections.
During 2016 and 2017 we saw significant efforts made by Russia to disrupt elections around the
world, but also political parties these countries spreading disinformation domestically. Looking
at the growth of cyber troop activity from 2017 to 2018 has demonstrated that these strategies
are circulating globally. We cannot wait for national courts to sort out the technicalities of
infractions after running an election or referendum. Protecting our democracies now means
setting the rules of fair play before voting day, not after.
22