Who are the most high tech countries in the World? You will be surprised!  Those able to harness the power of information and communication technology are reaping ever more benefits. But in poor countries, digital poverty is holding back growth and development, leaving them further behind.

10/ Finland  

Finland is highly famous for its  high-tech projects and medical prowesses. The Nordic country created Nokia, which was a world leader in mobile communications for dozens of years. The Scandinavian leader is now focusing on biosciences, energy and environmental science and has been offering thousands of scolarships to young scientists from all over the world.

9/ China

China has often been described as the next super power. The problem is that they are already a superpower. The nation has been able to perform breathtaking achievements and complete major developments in the field of technology in the last ten years. Gunpowder and compass were first used in China. The Chinese scientists are now focusing on  robotics, semiconductors, high-speed trains, supercomputers, genetics and automobiles. Additionally they are also slowly but surely expanding theirspace exploration program.

8/ Canada

Canada has a highly developed technology sector. The Government of Canada strongly encourages sciences and research. The nation specializes in peaceful technologies such as biotechnoloy.  Canada created the wireless interact machines, chip less credit and debit cards and the advanced supersonic twin-engined, Avro Arrow.

7/ United Kingdom

The United Kingdom was the World first modern industrial Nation. British Scientists permitted the discovery of hydrogen. Jet engine, locomotive engine, World Wide Web, electric motor, incandescent light bulb and commercial electrical telegraph were all invented  in the British Territory. Recently the United Kingdom specialized in military technologies include the Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle, BAE Systems Taranis. These technologies produced spectacular results on the battlefield in Iraq.

6/ Russia

The Russians launched the first expeditions to the moon and were the first to explore Space. Apart from space technology in which it used to be the main leader before the Americans took the lead, Russia is an heavy producer and inventor of weapons technology and defense systems.  It has one of the best high-tech defense system. It exports defense equipment to many nations in the world. Russia’s S300, S400, S500 and ICBM long range surface-to-air missile systems are very efficient than any other in the world. Recently Russia’s deployed it’s S300 in the Middle East in Syria and was able to deter the most powerful Air Force of the Region , Israel. 

5/ Germany

Germany has since centuries been a highly high-tech nation. It is famous for its results in the field of engineering. German research scientists have contributed in fields like space travel and biotechnology. R&D efforts are an integral part of the German economy. Germany’s automotive technology is outstanding with big brands like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Volkswagen and Porsche. Germany also took the lead recently in terms of Defense Industry by producing the Dolphin submarines sold to Israel.

4/ Israel

Around 35 percent of Israel’s exports are technology-related. Israel is one among the top five in space science. It is also known for its innovations in the defense industry such as Iron Dome. Israel developed the first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with real-time surveillance. This amazing nation is among the few nations in the world that have modern electric car infrastructure. You will find a well-maintained network of recharging stations all over Israel. Its main achievement remaining without a doubt the legendary “Iron Dome”that blocked all missiles attacks from Gaza during the 2014′ conflict.

3/ South Korea

South Korea is the birthplace of technology companies like LG, Hyundai and Samsung. These brands are competing with global technology brands like Apple and Toyota. South Korean scientists have made significant contributions in fields like robotics. The average internet speed in South Korea is thrice that in the US.

2/ The United States

The advances in space technology have played a significant role in making the United States of America a global superpower. From the atomic bomb to landing Neil Armstrong on the Moon. Space exploration, pharmaceuticals, defense system and telecommunications have been United States’ main focus for many decades. This nation has the most powerful and technologically advanced military in the world. This nation has produced the world’s biggest technology companies like Google, Facebook, Apple, Intel, IBM and Microsoft. These technology behemoths have changed the way people live worldwide.

1/Japan

Japan is well-known for its scientific research. Research scientists of Japan have made immense contributions in various fields like automobiles, electronics, machinery, earthquake engineering, optics, industrial robotics, metals and semi-conductors.  Japanese researchers have won many Nobel Prizes. Japan’s particularity lay down in the fact that they achieved results in every fields : from bio-technology to robotics.

Iran calls for calm after water protests, clashes (Business Insider)

Syria’s war: Rebels resume Russia talks under Jordan’s mediation (Aljazeera)

In bloody drug war, Mexico’s new leader may try negotiating (Reuters)

Myanmar not ready for Rohingya to return, Red Cross chief says (The Guardian)

US says Taliban inertia on peace talks ‘unacceptable’Exclusive: China shuns U.S. request for talks on airline website dispute over Taiwan (The Daily Mail)

 For the leaders of authoritarian state, nothing is  better than a “democratic” election to establish their legitimacy. Here are the ten most effective dictators in the art of getting elected on indisputable elections scores.

More and more countries in the world hold elections by universal suffrage to elect their president. But behind this encouraging sign for the spread of democracy, are hidden elections that were democratic in name only. Intimidation of opponents, controlled media power, threatened voters, vote rigging, unique candidate: authoritarian regimes compete inventiveness to ensure election results that comfort their legitimacy. Here is Young Diplomats Top 10 of  best elected dictators of the planet to 14/6/2015. [The ranking method is detailed down to article]

.Sunday, April 26, two States leaders were re-elected at the head of their country with overwhelming scores: Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. But what are the heads of state elected the best in the world?

10. Idriss Deby (Chad) – 1990/?
In office for the last 28 years

88.7%

In 2011, Idriss Deby was re-elected for a fourth term as president of Chad without a hitch, with 88.7% of votes cast. The secret of longevity of this former army pilot in the upper echelons of power lies precisely in military matters. Chadian troops, 70,000 men strong and well equipped, figure as first African power in this area. Chad is also regularly called upon as gendarme of Africa, as recently in Mali or in Central Africa. If Deby is still there, it is also thanks to France, through which he escaped a reversal in 2005 and 2006. The next elections will be held in April 2016. Deby has not  yet announced his intentions.

9. Assad (Syria) – 2000/?
In office for the last 18 years

88.7%

In June 2014, in the midst of a bloody civil war that has left more than 210,000 dead according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, held a surreal spectacle in Syria: an election Presidential. Unsurprisingly, Bashar Assad won with 88.7% of votes. The son of Hafez Assad, himself dictator of Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000, defeated an opposition composed of two candidates who did not do better than 7.5% cumulative. In 2007 he had already been reappointed after a simple referendum: 97% of voters had extended his term of seven years. No one can predict where Syria and Assad will be in 2021.

8. Islom Karimov (Uzbekistan) 1991/2016
In office for the last 25 years

90.39%

Great comeback this year for Islom Karimov, who re-elected in 2007 with “only” 88% of the vote. This man, who led the Soviet Socialist Republic of Uzbekistan before taking control of Independent  Uzbekistan after 1991, spent his childhood in an orphanage.

However this fact did not  softened that has not touched the OSCE in 2015, after its victory victory with over 90% of votes. Its observers denounced the limitations imposed on the media in the coverage of  its electoral campaign, measures that have provided “a clear advantage to incumbent”. They also contested the application of Karimov, because the Uzbek Constitution normally limits at two the number of terms as head of state.

7. Pierre N’Kurunziza (Burundi) – 2005/?
In office for the last 13 years

91.6%

On April 26, disturbances in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi, killed three people. The reason for the event? The will of President Pierre N’Kurunziza embarking for the third time to regain the presidential office. Unconstitutional, according to its opponents, and a transgression of the Arusha Accords, which had helped to end the long civil war in Burundi.

If things are getting worst, the vote attached prior to 26 June 2015, could be threatened. In the previous election, in 2010, the former sports teacher had collected 91.6% of votes. Participation, had settled around 76% of voters. Any politicians would envy this pretty high turnout … except that, this year, N’Kurunziza was the only candidate. Note that it is the leader of a party called the National Defence of Democracy-Forces for Democracy Council (CNDD-FDD).

6. Paul Kagame (Rwanda) – 2000/?
In office for the last 18 years

93%

In 2000, the Vice-President Paul Kagame, of the  Tutsi community, reached the top of a bruised state by the memory of the genocide committed by the Hutus. The First Parliament appointed him to the highest office, before he received the anointing of the people three years later with 95% of votes. In 2010, he was reelected with 93% of registered votes.

Since then,  he led more than ever the Rwanda with an iron hand. The last parliamentary elections have also been marked by many pressures on the opposition. In 2017, he could (try to) re-enlist.

5. Omar al-Bashir (Sudan) – 1989/?
In office for the last 29 years

94.5%

Omar al-Bashir probably throwed himself flowers on the morning of April 27 when he heard the head of the election commission to announce: “The number of votes obtained by the candidate Omar Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir’s National Congress Party, is 5.252 .478, or 94.5%. “The leader of 72 years, head of Sudan since 26 years and the  1989 coup , could therefore maintain to power.

But the former general triumphed without glory as he defeated without danger. In front of him, no less than thirteen candidates, it’s true, but all virtually unknown, the opposition leaders who preferred to withdraw in protest. Western governments have criticized the election, saying zero chances of be democratic. Criticisms that Bashir swept a backhand like about “colonialist”. Man is within the scope of an international statement to the massacres in Darfur.

4. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea) – 1979/?
In office for the last 39 years

95.4%

In thirty-six, Mbasogo has still not disgusted power. In 2009 he was even elected in Equatorial Guinea with the very good score of 95.4%. However, this is less than its previous success with 97% of votes.

The NGO Humans Rights Watch, she lends especially attention to cases of torture in prison and convenient disappearances of opponents. Young man, the future dictator had initiated the use of arms in Spain. At the head of the troops of Equatorial Guinea in the 70s, he reverses his uncle in 1979. However, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo the sense of family. His poor health forced him to think about later and later, it could be his son Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, now second vice-president.

3. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Egypt) – 2014/?
In office for the last 4 years

96.9%

96.9% of the valid votes cast, inevitably, it commands respect. But if we look more closely at the victory of the Egyptian military that overthrew the democratically elected president, Mohammed Morsi, in July 2013, we expose ourselves to disappointment. Only 46% of Egyptians turned out to vote in their office in May 2014.

It seems that the voters of Muslim Brotherhood candidate, now imprisoned, did not believe the democratic nature of the process. But be reassured, the Marshal Abdel Fattah is “for democracy, but not now,” as he would have told the president Francois Hollande there a few months.

2. Gurbuganly Berdimuhamedow (Turkmenistan) – 2006/?
In office for the last 12 years

97.14%

You may not know him, but he nevertheless came second on this list: Turkmen Gurbuganly Berdimuhamedow, re-elected with 97.14% of the vote in 2012. The character has a highly flamboyant side. He even took in 2010 the official title “Arkadag”, that is to say, protector of the nation. In 2011, shrinking from any excess, it also inaugurated a “Palace of Happiness” of 60.000m2 glory.

1. Nursultan Nazarbayev (Kazakhstan) – 1990/?
In office for the last 28 years

97.7%

Nazarbayev resembles his fellow heads of state in the Caucasus. He made his ranges in pharmacies of local communist party when the USSR cast its last rays, himself led political transition to the fall of it and did not let go power since.

It even comes to be reelected to the presidency of Kazakhstan on April 26, with nearly 98% of the vote in a ballot marked by a high turnout (95%). At 74, he promised the Kazakh people to ensure social stability and economic prosperity of a country whose wealth is based on oil. Since independence, Kazakhstan has managed to secure strong revenue on this basis but this year, growth was slowed by the weakness of the ruble of the great Russian neighbor. This does not mean that Nazarbayev has managed to do even better than his score of 95.5% achieved in 2011.

In 2011, as in 2015, European experts have criticized the manner of voting. Reproaches that slide over the skin of the animal, judging by this tweet his tweeter account : “I apologize if these numbers are unacceptable for the super democratic countries but there was nothing I could do.”

Are not part of this ranking monarchies, countries where the president is elected by Parliament and those where it is elected by the party in power.

The scope of this program is to promote young professionals who have a track record of commitment to the field of international affairs, who demonstrate high potential and have been involved in a variety of activities at local, regional and global level.

This interview is part of a series of interviews with young professionals across the world who are part of the generation of future leaders.

• Gentiana, thank you for giving us this interview, let’s start with you telling us more about your background?

I would like to thank you for this unique opportunity and congratulate you on your work and successes. It is always nice and heartwarming to see young enthusiasts and young people being passionate about different things and working on promoting them.

When it comes to my background, I am originally from Kosovo but due to difficulties there, my family moved to Croatia when I was less than two years old and ever since we have been living there. I study Political Science at the University of Zagreb and during my studies, I have been actively involved in many different international activities. Some of them include Model United Nations (MUN)  and Model European Union (MEU) simulations, internships at embassies and at UNDP, summer schools and several conferences. I have also been a participant at Young European Council (YEC) 2016 and the year after, I have helped organizing the same event. What YEC and I have achieved during that time, is to develop ideas for the European Solidarity Corps, which eventually have been accepted by the European Parliament.

• What does your current activities consist of?

Besides studying, I am involved in many other activities of which I am proud of. Since 2017, I am a Councilwoman at Youth Council of the President of Croatia, madam Kolinda Grabar Kitarović. This is the first time in history that a President of Croatia has such a council and it is an honour to be a part of it. Our activities are mostly related to solving or highlighting the main problems that youth in Croatia is facing and as such, we have organised several successful round tables together with the President herself.

I am also the Secretary General of the ‘International Association for Political Science Students’, a non-profit organisation that gathers young students from all over the world and offers them an opportunity to present their work. I am also involved in Young European Leadership who have won the European Charlemagne Youth Prize. At my Faculty, I have been an active member of the ‘Diplomatic Club’, where I have organised round tables, conferences and other international activities.

• In your opinion, what are the main challenges the world faces today/What are the challenges your region is facing today?

The world is facing many challenges – the conflict in Syria, relations between Israel and Palestine, Brexit, etc. However, I think the greatest challenge is the change in diplomatic relations, mostly caused by the United States. This is quite interesting to observe, how the relations between G7 countries have changed and how the US is getting more distant from its allies

From a regional perspective, Southeast Europe is facing many problems. One of them is definitely ‘to find a seat’  in an international arena. The difficulty is even bigger when we remember that these countries have had a strong partnership with the US and with the EU. When it comes to choosing between these two allies, it will be quite challenging for most of them.
Another challenge for these countries is to move forward. Young people are still victims of  the conflicts in the past and these countries need to move forward, learn how to cooperate and to forget their differences.

• What are the most important qualities for young people to be successful in this field?

In my opinion, the most important qualities in this field are, to be persistent and stubborn towards your goals. As a young diplomat, one faces many challenges and many losses as well trying to prove the skills and talent. It is important that you do not give up at the very first obstacle or failure. Failure is actually good at some points, because it gives valuable lessons and makes all successes that come after greater and better. Another quality to have is, to be moderate and know what to say, when to say and in front of whom. It is one of the most important qualities that many, even elder people, do not have.

• How do you empower young people to get involved in youth activities/conferences etc.?

From my experience, young people are mostly empowered from personal experience, meaning that they will most likely join a conference or an activity, if someone they know, has had positive experience while participating in it.
As such, it is important to share your stories and your experience in different activities and people will always approach you and ask for advices. We have been very lucky to have amazing professors, who have supported us and helped in promoting these activities. They even invited us to help the faculty in organizing our activities.
What has also helped is the fact that students at our Faculty have a TV – and radio channel and newspapers where we can promote these activities and our work.

• What advice would you give to young people who embark on study/career path in this field?

It is an advice that everyone keeps on giving, but it is the best advice that can be given. It is to never give up and always be passionate in what you are doing. This field has many challenges and it is quite important to face all of them and learn from them. As I have said previously, failure is good and it should not stop you from doing what you love.

One of the best advices I have received so far is that whenever I am facing a difficult decision, the best thing to do is to ask three to four people about their opinion and then create your own. It is quite useful in many situations, especially considering the fact that it is normal not to know everything about everything. Linked to that, my advice would also be to ask for help and not to be ashamed of doing so.

• How important is having a mentor?

Unfortunately, I have not had the experience of having a mentor who would help me and I believe that many young people are not lucky enough to have one. Having a mentor is useful and important since it gives you a unique input and lessons from a personal perspective. However, having a mentor is not crucial. If you are determined and stubborn in achieving your goals, you will achieve them with or without a mentor.

• Do you have a model or an inspiration?

I think everyone has a model and inspiration that changes as we grow older. It is difficult to select only one model or one inspiration since there are so many examples of successful people in history and even today. Although, I would have to say that one person that stands out is definitely Angela Merkel. Let us face it, international relations are still a men’s world and as such, it is really motivating to see a strong, powerful woman sitting with other men and making the most important decisions. It is a great example for all of us, young professionals, who want to fulfill our dreams. When it comes to inspiration, I am a bookworm and always find inspiration in different classic poems and novels.

• What are the main challenges that you had to overcome in this field until now?

For me, the main challenge has been to learn how to raise my voice and make my opinion matter. You face so many judgements and prejudice and sometimes it is difficult to overcome them. It has been a long process for me to learn how to do that. There are still meetings, where I am the youngest or the only woman. In the beginning, it was really difficult for me to raise my voice and express my opinion without being interrupted. However, I have learnt that I have an equal right to raise my voice as everyone else and that my opinion does matter!
It is an ongoing process of course, but so far I am happy with my achievement in it.

If North Korea is denuclearizing, why is it expanding a nuclear research center? (NBC News)

As Cameroon English Speakers Fight to Break Away, Violence Mounts (New York Times)

What next for South Sudan’s peace agreement? (Aljazeera)

France’s Macron brings back national service (BBC News)

Exclusive: China shuns U.S. request for talks on airline website dispute over Taiwan (Reuters)

If North Korea is denuclearizing, why is it expanding a nuclear research center? (NBC News)

As Cameroon English Speakers Fight to Break Away, Violence Mounts (New York Times)

What next for South Sudan’s peace agreement? (Aljazeera)

France’s Macron brings back national service (BBC News)

Exclusive: China shuns U.S. request for talks on airline website dispute over Taiwan (Reuters)

Because of the border connectivity, South Asia holds a great importance for China. Two of its neighbouring countries are nuclear powers (Pakistan and India) and one (Afghanistan) is a war-torn land. Thus, making South Asia a vital part of China’s geoeconomic strategies. China and Pakistan are all-weather friends. Because of China’s growing geoeconomic strength, India is also getting closer to China. Afghanistan cannot be left burning down so, China wants to achieve mutual development and safety.

This article aims at highlighting the geoeconomics of China in the South Asian region.

China’s influence in South Asia:

Within South Asia, China wants to create a stable environment. Five of the South Asian countries share a border with China. Because of acrimony, distrust and hostility among the countries within the region, it would be naïve to consider China’s geoeconomic strategy within the region as a whole. China’s geoeconomic influence can be analyzed differently with different countries.

China and Pakistan:

According to Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, role and influence of China in Pakistan is mostly viewed positively. China has heavily invested in Pakistan, from partnership in civil nuclear energy to $62 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)- an infrastructure and transportation investment.

Glenn Diesen (2017) in this context argues that one of the most remarkable developments in China’s Southern land Corridor is CPEC. Along with infrastructure and energy investment for Pakistan, the port of Gwadar enhances the energy security for China because of its proximity with Strait of Hormuz. Access to Gwadar Port enables China to bypass the Straits of Malacca which will mitigate threats for China from US naval supremacy. It is a positive-sum game for both China and Pakistan.

China and India:

Hina Rabbani Khar argues that India views the growing ties between Pakistan and China as Chinese containment strategy of India within the region. China also considers Indo-US alliance in the region as a China containment policy.

India is not part of Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, Wade Shepard (2017) writes for Forbes that China has surrounded India. India has been wrapped up by land and sea via Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

In 2018, India ordered its officials to stay away from Dalai Lama rally. According to Financial Times report, India has done that to improve its ties with China. India is not the first country to do that. In 2014, Norwegian Prime Minister did not meet Dalai Lama. Norway’s Foreign Minister, Borge Brende told the reporters at that time that Norway wanted to focus on its relationship with China. Norway’s neighbouring country Denmark followed suit and Danish PM did not meet Dalai Lama as well (Harris and Blackwill, 2016). Therefore, it is likely that India is on its way to improve its ties with China because of latter’s growing geoeconomic influence.

China and Afghanistan:

Angela Stanzel (2014) argues that China has stepped into Afghanistan after the reduction of NATO and the US forces from Afghanistan. Afghanistan has become an attractive destination for Chinese investment because of various reasons. Afghanistan holds significance for China because of its Central and South Asian location. In addition to this, Afghanistan’s natural resources have also attracted China to step into the great game.

According to Hina Rabbani Khar, China is the largest single investor in Afghanistan. Afghanistan will get $400 million in royalties from its Aynak Copper Mine which is a sizeable portion of Afghanistan’s budget. China has also become politically involved in Afghanistan and openly accepts a role in the intra-Afghan dialogue.

China in other countries of South Asia:

China’s economic interests in countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is also booming. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are becoming good trading partners for China. China has invested in infrastructure projects such as airport and port in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh is part of China’s Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor. Nepal has also become part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Conclusion:

Because of border proximity, South Asian Region holds a great significance for China. China does not want to lose its influence in the region. It works and will keep working on strategies to gain strategic depth in the region. Furthermore, India is the biggest challenge to China’s hegemony in the region (though China claims not to seek hegemony). Whatever the US does to contain China in the region, China plays the same game to contain India. Geoeconomics has played a significant role in favour of China in South Asia. China has vividly adopted geoeconomic strategies to achieve its geopolitical ends.

Muhammad Murad has been writing for different magazines and blogs since 2011. He initially started writing on social issues of Pakistan and later on, he began writing on internal and external issues related to Pakistan. Currently, he is Young Diplomats’ ambassador in Pakistan. He believes in a peaceful liberal democratic world away from war and conflict which would be possible by the power of the pen, not the gun. Muhammad is a business graduate turned  social scientist and aspires to be a writer. 

Libya calls on UN to block ‘illegal’ oil sale (Aljazeera)

The end of Saudi Arabia’s ban on women driving is about economics, not equality (Qz)

Koreas discuss removing North’s artillery from tense border (Fox News)

Poland’s controversial ‘Holocaust Law’ set to be reversed after global outcry (Washington Post)

South Sudan peace deal reached on ‘some points’ (BBC)

Zimbabwe opposition leader Nelson Chamisa fears poll violence (Aljazeera)

Discontent lurks in Vietnam despite economic success (Mercury News)

Totalitarian tyrant or trusted leader? Turkish voters split on Erdoğan (The Guardian)

‘Serious’ human rights violations cited as death toll in Nicaragua tops 200 (France 24)

UN rights chief calls for probe of abuses by Venezuela forces (SBS)

Despite recent scandals over social media and their use of user’s data, the question about how to regulate the privacy of user’s data and control social media’s commercial activities is rising. Yet, the political class doesn’t seem to consider this issue as a priority.

Recent scandals over social media giant Facebook, peddling fake news, enabling Russian manipulation over the American presidential campaign and Trump’s presidential cabinet to use some user’s data to better communicate are shocking for its users. Users are not dumb, they already distrust social media and the use of their data. But in the fourth quarter of 2017, users spent 50 million hours less per day on Facebook, a drop of 15%. Moreover, the share price of Facebook on stock exchange has dropped by 8,5% between March 16^th and March 21th.

Why such a distrust On March 17^th, the New York Times and Britain’s observer leaked how Facebook sold 50 million user’s profiles to Cambridge Analytics, which shared information with 3^rd parties, including Trump’s presidential campaign. Facebook built a cash machine around its advertising business activities. Through gathering detailed information about user’s identities and behavior online, Facebook made $40bn in 2017. Recently, Facebook developed political ad, which represents 3% of their advertising income by microtargeting someone in order to influence their political views and voting behavior. Facebook now offers precise tools to politicians to target voters and reach prospective voters.

Mr Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and boss did not deny Facebook’s ethically suspicious activities. His response to the scandal had been modest.  He promised an audit by third-party app developers will be done to make it easier for users to control their privacy settings. It is not the first scandal Facebook is going through, and nothing changed yet about how users can check and control their private data. Facebook wasn’t warned in stopping its activities, neither financially punished for selling user’s data.  A legal framework is lacking at an international level. But now that even politicians use private data for campaign objectives, how could people trust in a possible change?

The first example of politicians using user’s data is the Obama administration during its first campaign, which he also won because of a performant communication/marketing strategy. His campaign was digitally sophisticated and Obama used Facebook to reach prospective voters. Mr Obama got proper permission to obtain data about people’s friends: he did not microtarget users, behind their backs, unlike Donald Trump.

At the time, Mr Obama was in favor for a consumer “bill of rights” to control user’s online data. The idea is now totally abandoned as some politicians (e.g. Donald Trump, Steve Bannon) rely on Facebook to gain political campaigns. Nonetheless in Europe, a consensus is growing on the fact that a global, at least European, regulation should be discussed and set up to protect user’s privacy and avoiding fake news expansion. In 2018, Europe should propose a common text to be adopted along those lines. Despite America being weak on that topic (Trump’s administration is not showing any signs of solving this issue), a solution could come from Europe. But strict and clear rules are required to restore confidence with the users. If this bill fails, citizens will more distrust social media and the political system than ever.