Digital transparency advocates warn that coordinated bot networks can effectively “rig” the public conversation—not by altering election results, but by manufacturing the illusion of widespread public support while drowning out authentic voices.

Bots are automated software programmes capable of posting, liking, sharing and commenting at a speed and scale impossible for ordinary users. While many serve legitimate purposes, others are used in what cybersecurity experts call coordinated inauthentic behaviour—the use of bots, fake accounts or coordinated networks to amplify messages, suppress criticism and manipulate online engagement.

By flooding comment sections with repetitive messages, coordinated likes and shares, and attacks on critics, these campaigns can distort public perception, sidetrack substantive national debate and discourage meaningful public participation.