the indifference of social media to democracy increasingly clashes with the fact that social media have a growing impact on democracy.

Social media collect a great amount of user data usually on the basis that their services are offered for free and that more data are needed to improve these services. While access to data is sometimes provided willingly (e.g. profile information), often users are not aware of the type and amount of data collected. Privacy risks may occur at... See more

social media provide citizens with new opportunities to access information, express opinions and participate in democratic processes, they can also undermine democracy by distorting information, promoting false stories and facilitating political manipulation.

The right to privacy seeks to provide such a zone of non-interference.

Unwarranted surveillance interferes with people's privacy and thus undermine their capacity for democratic self-determination.