International Journal on Criminology Volume 7, Number 1, Winter 2019/2020 | Page 17

International Journal on Criminology
CYBERATTACKS – CYBERTHREATS – CYBERCRIME
Cyberthreats, including cybercrime, constitute a major challenge on two levels.
They pose a risk to the critical infrastructure that is vital if France is to function
properly, severely testing its resilience. They also threaten democracy. Personal
data are exploited to collectively influence individuals in order to guide their political
choices. The risks to democracy are much stronger given that manipulation
of opinion is carried out without individuals’ knowing and at the instigation of
foreign powers.
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