Digital manipulation of individuals’ behaviour and perceptions in autocracies

Abstract

This Panel welcomes contributions which analyze the effects of digital authoritarian strategies on individuals’ perceptions and behaviour. How do citizens experiencing online censorship, surveillance, or misinformation update their beliefs about the regime and, in turn, change their political behaviour? For instance, how does the use of digital authoritarian strategies affect protest or voting behaviour by individuals? We also invite contributions analyzing how state authorities adapt their behaviour following the use of digital manipulation, such as an increased offline repression during an Internet shutdown (Gohdes 2021). We particularly encourage proposals using innovative individual-level data such as social media or survey data. Contributions highlighting the challenges in measuring individuals’ behaviour under digital authoritarianism are also welcome.

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