The Impact Of The Proposed Regulation Of The European Parliament And Of The Council On The Transparency And Targeting Of Political Advertising On The Limitation Of Political Microtargeting's Effect From The Perspective Of Fundamental Rights Of Individuals

Abstract

The issue of political microtargeting and its detrimental effect on the fundamental rights of individuals has been at the centre of discussion and topical theme among various legal experts and practitioners. This thesis analyses new draft regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising in relation to the shortcomings of the current legal framework and assesses whether it would be able to limit political microtargeting and its threats to the fundamental rights of individuals. The main research question that this thesis focuses on is: to what extent would a new regulation on transparency and targeting of political advertising be able to fill the gaps in the existing legal framework by mitigating the threats posed by political microtargeting to the fundamental rights of individuals? Based on the analysis of the present legal framework on the mentioned phenomenon and the new draft regulation, the thesis additionally puts forward suggestions to the European Commission for relevant amendments in the draft regulation in order to eliminate the existing lack of legal clarity and pitfalls within the draft regulation with regard to mitigating risks of mentioned type of advertising against fundamental rights.