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The flip side of digital technologies in internal party elections: a cybersecurity dilemma?

By Emilien Paulis, Lucas Kins, Oscar Barberà & Davide Vittori

ÉDITION
Taylor and Francis Group

COLLECTION

Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research

LIEN

Abstract

The digitalization of party organizations has garnered increasing scholarly attention in recent years. This study examines an underexplored area: how individuals working for political parties perceive the cybersecurity threats associated with using digital technologies for intra-party voting procedures. Drawing on survey data collected online in 2021 from three European democracies (Belgium, Italy, and Spain), our analysis reveals that cybersecurity concerns are more pronounced among party actors who (1) are non-elected staffers born before the 1980s, (2) had negative experiences with digital technologies during the COVID-19 crisis, or (3) work for right-wing parties. Our findings highlight the need to avoid technological determinism and call for a more systematic study of cybersecurity challenges in the context of party digitalization.

Mis à jour le 24 mars 2025