City Research Online

Abstract

This study investigates the potential adverse effects of political chatbots operating as peer-to-peer propaganda tools that evade public and regulatory oversight. We analyze a specific case of a Facebook Messenger chatbot used by Benjamin Netanyahu’s campaign during two 2019 Israeli elections. Applying the Walkthrough Method, we define “dark cycles” as a convergence of social engineering and dark patterns, characterized by three phases: Reconnaissance (establishing connections and collecting data), Training (using repetitive messaging and dark-pattern choice architectures to shape perspectives), and Activation (instructing users to perform specific tasks). While centered on this case, our findings suggest broader implications for studying political chatbots as AI technologies evolve. We also address the asymmetric power dynamics these chatbots create, highlighting their role in shaping compliant data subjects under surveillance and automation.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This article will be published in International Journal of Communication (IJoC) by USC Annenberg Press and it will be available online at: ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc
Publisher Keywords:	dark cycles; political chatbots; social engineering; dark patterns; peer-to-peer propaganda; digital campaigning; platform governance
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General) T Technology > T Technology (General)
Departments:	School of Policy & Global Affairs School of Policy & Global Affairs > Sociology & Criminology
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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