In brief
The investigation comes after intelligence reports revealed a sudden mobilization of TikTok accounts promoting a far-right candidate, raising concerns about disinformation and platform accountability.
The European Union has officially initiated an investigation into TikTok, focusing on alleged foreign meddling in the recent Romanian presidential election. This follows revelations of over 25,000 TikTok accounts activated just weeks prior to the polls, primarily endorsing independent candidate Calin Georgescu, known for his controversial ties to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The investigation was prompted by declassified intelligence reports which indicated that Georgescu's campaign gained extraordinary traction via TikTok, a platform he heavily utilized. EU officials, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, emphasized the necessity for robust actions to protect democratic processes from external influences. "Whenever we suspect such interference, especially during elections, we must act swiftly and firmly," Von der Leyen stated.The investigations will primarily assess TikTok's advertising practices and content recommendation systems to determine compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA) aimed at curbing disinformation and illegal online activities. Despite TikTok's insistence that it did not unfairly promote Georgescu's account, it has faced scrutiny over content marked as election-related, which is supposedly illegal under Romanian law.As part of the EU's inquiry, TikTok has been ordered to retain documents related to its content algorithms and any measures it employs to prevent deliberate manipulation of its platform. The investigation will prioritize any potential risks linked to how TikTok's algorithm tailors content for users, especially in the context of national elections scheduled in various EU member states between late 2024 and early 2025.Georgescu's campaign, characterized by a "highly organized" social media effort, saw a significant spike in support after the initial round of voting. Controversially, he has pushed policies against military aid to Ukraine and has espoused various conspiracy theories. Currently, discussions are ongoing on the impact of social media platforms like TikTok in shaping political landscapes and the integrity of elections across Europe.
