Nonetheless, even if “[t]he internet has the power to be a tool of democracy… its potential in this respect is at risk… [because the] same technology that facilitates discourse creates opportunities for censorship of information, monitoring of online practices and the subtle shaping and manipulation of behaviour”, hence threatening the authenticity of suffrage, the equity of the electoral competition and, ultimately, the capacity to translate the will of the people into institutional representation and governmental decisions. It should be noted that any undue influence over the authenticity and freedom of suffrage might affect not only the translation of the popular will into concrete actions, but also the protection of minorities, the balance among basic human rights and the possibility to hold political parties and elected officials accountable. Even if such threats already existed in the past, they have increased through the more sophisticated methods facilitated by digital technologies.