Chile approves commission to investigate election bot use

The Chilean Chamber of Deputies has approved the creation of a Special Investigative Commission to examine the alleged use of bots, automated accounts, trolls, and other digital manipulation mechanisms in electoral and plebiscite processes since 2020.

The commission aims to investigate the impact of these tools on public debate and democracy. The move follows the ‘Cerimedo case,’ which involves allegations of links between international consultants and local political actors to deploy mass disinformation via automated networks. Some related evidence has already been referred to the Public Ministry to determine if computer crimes or illicit associations occurred.

The approval came after an initial attempt failed to reach the necessary quorum. Amid the controversy, President José Antonio Kast denied that Argentine strategist Fernando Cerimedo serves as a government advisor or has participated in his campaigns, though he acknowledged knowing him.