Following reports of a surge in TikTok accounts promoting far-right candidate Calin Georgescu before the Romanian elections, the EU has officially opened an investigation to assess potential violations of its Digital Services Act.
EU Launches Investigation into TikTok for Alleged Foreign Interference in Romanian Elections
EU Launches Investigation into TikTok for Alleged Foreign Interference in Romanian Elections
The European Union's executive body is scrutinizing TikTok over claims linked to foreign meddling in the Romanian presidential vote, raising concerns over digital platform accountability.
The European Union's executive has initiated a formal investigation into TikTok, driven by alarming evidence suggesting foreign interference in the recent Romanian presidential elections. Concerns escalated after intelligence reports indicated that approximately 25,000 TikTok accounts were activated just weeks before the initial voting, largely supporting independent candidate Calin Georgescu. This candidate has received notoriety for his controversial statements and praise for the Russian leader, although he maintains that he is not an admirer.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of safeguarding democracies against external influence, stating, "Whenever we suspect such interference, especially during elections, we must act swiftly and firmly." The EU's probe will focus on TikTok's advertising policies and algorithms, assessing whether its practices violate the Digital Services Act (DSA), designed to combat disinformation and illegal online activities.
Georgescu's campaign relied heavily on TikTok for outreach, prompting Roman's intelligence community to accuse Russia of targeting Romania as an adversary within NATO. Notably, TikTok-promoted election content failed to meet legal requirements in Romania, with one account reportedly spending $381,000 on posts for Georgescu’s campaign. TikTok refuted allegations of preferential treatment for his account, asserting that political advertising on its platform is strictly prohibited.
As part of the investigation, the EU has demanded TikTok preserve internal records relevant to its recommendation systems and measures against "intentional manipulation." The EU underscores the urgency of this investigation, aligning it with concurrent inquiries into TikTok's handling of harmful content and the protection of minors.
Prior to the cancellation of the runoff, intelligence sources noted an orchestrated social media strategy that significantly bolstered Georgescu's visibility. The candidate, who opposes military assistance to Ukraine and harbors conspiracy theories regarding historical events and public health crises, was locked in a close race with reformist rival Elena Lasconi before the second round's annulment.
