TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ The Director of the State Intelligence Service (SHISH), Vlora Hyseni, said in her remarks at the commission in charge of coordinating and overseeing all institutional actions to counter disinformation and other forms of foreign interference in the country’s democratic processes” that digitalization and advancements in Information Technology present a new challenge for security.
She said that digitalization and technology, such as social media platforms, other than their upsides, present new challenges for the security of institutions in the country.
“Digitalization and advancements in information technology through online platforms, particularly social media, in addition to the advantages they bring in providing real-time information to citizens, increasing public transparency, and enhancing social interaction, from a security perspective, they are also being used for disinformation campaigns and have amplified the potential for spreading misinformation,” said Hyseni.
“Disinformation, from the perspective of the intelligence service, such as the State Information Service, unlike misinformation, is characterized by the deliberate distortion and dissemination of specific information to undermine national security, cause destabilization, compromise information security, economic security, and public health security. As such, it is also addressed in the international security strategy approved by Law 12/2024,” continued Hyseni.
“The widespread use of online spaces and advanced communication technologies, in addition to the advantages, brings new security challenges that cannot be addressed by a single institution. This digital ecosystem is being exploited by growing dimensions of adversarial countries in democratic systems,” concluded Hyseni.
“Non-state third-parties, for their own purposes, carry out deliberate disinformation campaigns to cause destabilization, intervene in and manipulate important democratic processes, and identify high audience digital platforms and potential human resources for funding or even recruitment to spread disinformation. Disinformation campaigns and malicious foreign interference are highlighted in key democratic processes such as elections and fragile security and political situations,” said the head of SHISH, Vlora Hyseni. /a.f/sm/
