To hold the best elections in the world, we need to work together – and prevent election interference

Election interference aims to undermine citizens’ trust in society and the underlying democratic system and decision-making. Election interference may also be part of a more wide-ranging, systematic operation or hybrid influence activities.

Influence activities can be used, among other things, to steer social debate. When topics of discussion are made up or based on lies, this steers the discussion away from what is important. If this affects the outcome of the elections, it can have a detrimental impact on society. For example, people who do not represent the will of the majority can be elected as decision-makers who get to enact legislation. 

Some countries have seen election interference directed at the voting system, voters, political parties and the media. 

Election interference may involve attempts to influence the election results or people’s impression of their trustworthiness. It may be targeted at electoral systems and election campaigns.

Another goal may be to undermine social stability or foster suspicion towards politicians, public officials, certain population groups or society as a whole. The means to achieve these goals can include harassment, threats, exerting of pressure, spreading of lies and false rumours, fake news, cyber attacks and data breaches.

It may be difficult to clearly identify the perpetrators of election interference. Perpetrators can also have a wide range of motives.

Perpetrators identified in connection with election interference in other countries have included 

• state actors
• non-state actors that can also act on behalf of a state
• organisations and other groups
• private actors.

Engaging in debate and expressing different views and opinions is an integral part of an open and democratic society and elections. Not all discussion, even when it is unpleasant, automatically constitutes undesirable election interference.

A good rule of thumb is that discussion around elections and concerning elections can be considered interference if its purpose is to: 

• delude (fake news, half-truths, fake profiles, identity theft, fake campaign advertising and manipulation)
• divide (spreading of false information about a population group, provocation and exaggeration), or
• suppress (campaigns that may include pressurising, threats, persecution, harassment or blackmail)

Be critical

• Examine the contents of the message. Does the source or content seem reliable? Can you find the same information in other sources?

Be aware, be knowledgeable and understand

• What are reliable sources of information?
• How does social media work, how are messages being targeted at me and based on which principles?

Be responsible and take action

• If you are unsure about the reliability of a message, try to check its authenticity and the facts it includes. Never share half-truths, rumours or lies.
• Pay attention to your own communications. Know the relevant legislation and the terms of use and community rules of different social media services. The law and good manners also apply online.
• If you notice inappropriate or criminal activities, report them to the administrator of the online service. In criminal matters, you should also contact the police.

Preparedness is part of the statutory duties of authorities. As the world around us changes, authorities must constantly assess the effects of the changes on Finnish society. These changes must be taken into account in all activities. Authorities have been prepared for information influence activities for years.

The key themes in preparing for election interference are trust and maintaining trust.

Training
As part of their preparedness measures, authorities have organised training for other authorities and political parties on how to identify election interference and how to respond to it. In addition, experts in information influence activities have visited events for journalist organisations across Finland to talk about election interference.

Practices
Authorities have reviewed their practices and systems and developed their mutual cooperation and activities. This is part of the authorities’ normal preparedness work, which also serves the general development of the authorities' activities. The Ministry of Justice, the Prime Minister's Office, the secretariat of the Security Committee, the National Cyber Security Centre, the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service and others have participated in this work.

Cooperation with social media companies
Authorities have also conducted discussions with social media companies, such as Facebook and Google, on how they prepare for attempts to influence elections in their activities.  Authorities have provided these companies with information about Finland's electoral system, election legislation and the principles for conducting elections. At the same time, discussions have been conducted on how different actors, such as authorities, political parties, individual candidates and the media, can prepare for and protect themselves against harassment and interference taking place through these platforms. 

These companies are, however, independent actors. Companies make their own decisions and interpretations concerning the contents published on their platforms based on their own community rules and terms of use. The power of decision lies entirely with the companies themselves.