On June 20, 2025, the Law and Internet Foundation had the pleasure of attending the conference “Foreign Influence and Vulnerability: Gender-Based Disinformation and Cyberviolence in Bulgaria”, organized by the Center for the Study of Democracy. The event took place at the Grand Hotel Millennium in Sofia and was dedicated to the growing threats faced by women in the public sphere - including targeted disinformation campaigns, hate speech, and forms of cyberviolence.
The conference was held shortly after the International Day for Countering Hate Speech and brought together representatives of institutions, civil society organizations, and the expert community to discuss the dynamics of toxic online narratives, foreign influence on democratic processes, and the potential for sustainable and effective institutional responses.
Key challenges for institutions in addressing online violence were discussed, along with the need for more active involvement by the state and technology platforms to protect vulnerable groups - particularly women in politics, media, and activism.
The invitation extended to the Law and Internet Foundation to attend the event reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to issues related to digital rights, online safety, and countering disinformation, especially when these impact vulnerable communities. The Foundation will continue to support efforts aimed at building a safer and fairer digital environment.
