Commission recommendation of 12.9.2018 on election cooperation networks, online transparency, protection against cybersecurity incidents and fighting disinformation campaigns in the context of elections to the European Parliament

Principles and Recommendations

This Recommendation was issued ahead of the 2019 European Parliament elections in an effort to promote free and fair elections. The use of technology has brought many changes to the functioning of elections and new challenges regarding protection, security and election integrity are arising. The Recommendation addresses topics such as election cooperation networks, online transparency, protection against cybersecurity incidents and combatting disinformation campaigns. The European Commission has called on Member States to establish a national electoral network to facilitate a fast and secure exchange of information on issues liable to affect European Parliamentary elections, encourage the transparency of paid online political advertising and apply adequate sanctions in the event of breaches of the rules on the protection of personal data in the context of European Parliament elections.