The SAP boss is worried about fake news and societal manipulation on large social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

Despite the founders of the social giants pledging to do more to ensure public debate is not artificially skewed, Plattner this that it will need to become a matter for law enforcement and criminal penalties.

Humans are genetically wired to thrive on rumours, dating back to ancient times when rumours about what was going on in the next village would be on everyone's mind. He fears social platforms have simply become rumour distribution machines of unbelievable power, Plattner.

"I was very optimistic that social networks would improve access to information and democracy in general, but I am very disappointed that the opposite is happening. Professional information producers undermine the social networks, undermine states and elections. It is unbelievable what is happening and we have a huge problem", he said.

Plattner thinks it is very similar to insider trading, which he says is as easy to commit as social media manipulation, but is not so common because people know they will be slugged with criminal convictions.

"This is all before we look at the exploitation of personal data, where we are naked in front of the social networks, because we undress ourselves, and not only literally. I think this will continue until we have the legal systems properly looking at it, and have strong laws that people have to obey."