Constitutional Protection Actively Targets Fake News in Election Campaign - Hesse braces for deepfake threats ahead of March 2026 local elections
Hesse's local election campaign is facing a growing threat from fake social media accounts and disinformation. With the March 15, 2026 communal elections approaching, authorities are stepping up efforts to tackle manipulated content and deepfakes. The State Office for the Protection of the Constitution (LfV) has warned that false information spreads quickly, risking the integrity of the vote.
The LfV is increasing its monitoring of social media platforms ahead of the elections. A temporary task force has been set up to analyse election-related content more rapidly. Bernd Neumann, president of the LfV, highlighted the surge in disinformation and deepfakes during campaign periods.
Fabricated posts and manipulated videos pose a particular danger in smaller municipalities. These areas often lack the resources to detect and counter false claims effectively. Fake profiles impersonating elected officials have also become more common in Hesse.
The LfV has called on citizens to verify information carefully before sharing it online. Deepfake images and misleading content can distort public debate and influence voter opinions.
No specific cases of disinformation in smaller municipalities have been documented so far. However, the LfV's heightened scrutiny aims to limit the impact of fake news before the elections. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the vote approaches.
