Global Elections at Risk: Dark Money and Disinformation Threaten Democracy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As U.S. elections increasingly resemble a political free-for-all, with unchecked dark money and rampant disinformation, other democracies are grappling with how to maintain fair and transparent electoral processes. While countries like Germany and the U.K. enforce strict campaign finance laws and state-funded media, the rise of social media platforms and unregulated algorithms threatens to undermine these safeguards worldwide.

In the U.S., super PACs and anonymous donors can funnel unlimited funds into campaigns, while platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook amplify falsehoods with little accountability. Elon Musk’s recent use of X to promote extremist politicians and spread misinformation has raised alarms, particularly in Europe, where leaders fear foreign interference in their elections. “We don’t know who is paying for misinformation to be spread online,” said one European Commission adviser, speaking anonymously due to fears of reprisal.

Unlike the U.S., many democracies have implemented measures to ensure electoral integrity. Germany funds political parties proportionally to their parliamentary representation, reducing reliance on private donors. Poland fast-tracks election-related libel cases to curb false claims. However, the global reach of American tech giants complicates these efforts. “Social media exists outside the legal system,” said a former British official, referencing Section 230, a U.S. law that shields platforms from liability for user-generated content.

Recent incidents highlight the challenges. In Romania, $1 million was allegedly spent on TikTok content to support a presidential candidate, despite his claims of no campaign spending. In Germany, Elon Musk’s interview with far-right politician Alice Weidel reached 45 million views in 24 hours, far surpassing traditional media reach. “Musk is deliberately strengthening those who are weakening Europe,” said Robert Habeck, Germany’s vice chancellor.

The European Union is taking steps to regulate tech giants through its Digital Services Act, which mandates transparency and fines for noncompliance. However, enforcement remains contentious. “The commission should look at the raft of laws and rules it has available,” said an adviser to the European Commission. “This is about ensuring everyone’s voice is equal.”

As the EU investigates X and other platforms, the stakes are high. With American oligarchs and foreign actors seeking to influence elections, democracies worldwide face a critical choice: adapt to the new reality of unregulated digital influence or risk becoming electoral Las Vegases themselves.