Nicușor Dan warns at the UN that thousands of fake accounts can silence individual voices and harm democracy

President Nicușor Dan warned on Tuesday at the United Nations about the risk posed by coordinated disinformation on social media and its effects on freedom of expression and freedom of association.

The head of state explained that thousands of fake accounts transmitting the same messages simultaneously or launching attacks against an individual can hinder the free expression of opinions. “If thousands of fake accounts speak in a coordinated manner, the individual’s voice is no longer heard,” Nicușor Dan said.

The president added that a coordinated attack on the ideas expressed by an individual can discourage others from joining them, thereby affecting freedom of association. The message about disinformation was delivered in English during his address at the UN.

Later, Nicușor Dan delivered his speech in Romanian, speaking about the threat posed by Russia to Ukraine, Europe and Western democracies. He drew attention to the fact that the risks facing democracies are insufficiently discussed relative to the scale of the threat.