Influence Operations in Cyberspace and the Applicability of International Law

Elgar International Law and Technology series

Peter B.M.J. Pijpers, Associate Professor of Cyber Operations, Faculty of Military Sciences, War Studies, Netherlands Defence Academy, Breda and Researcher at Amsterdam Centre of International Law, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands

This enlightening book examines the use of online influence operations by foreign actors, and the extent to which these violate international law. It looks at key recent examples such as the 2016 UK EU Referendum, the 2016 American Presidential Election, and the 2017 French Presidential Election. The book analyses the core elements of interventions and sovereignty, and the extent to which these elements were violated in the three central case studies.

‘Peter Pijpers has dug deep into the question of influence operations in cyberspace, which are politically abhorred but often do not break any major laws – neither domestically nor internationally. Zooming in on international law Pijpers warns about a lack of legal clarity that creates a legal grey zone that malign States eagerly exploit. His solution to this problem is a well-argued plea to reconceptualise coercion in cyberspace and draw a line in the sand.’
——丹尼斯Broeders Netherla莱顿大学nds

‘Professor Pijpers combines a unique combination of a legal and a strategic framework to assess the legality and the modus operandi of digital influence operations directed against political systems. The legal framework involves non-intervention and sovereignty. The strategic framework offers valuable insight into the use of state power to persuade, coerce or manipulate foreign audiences.’
– Paul Ducheine, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands