In brief
The European Union is scrutinizing TikTok amid suspicions of foreign interference in the recent Romanian elections, with claims of a coordinated campaign supporting an obscure far-right candidate.
The European Union's executive branch has initiated a formal investigation into TikTok amid concerning indications of foreign manipulation in the recent Romanian presidential election. This review springs from alarming intelligence reports that surfaced earlier this month, revealing that around 25,000 new TikTok accounts were activated shortly before the polls, primarily backing independent candidate Calin Georgescu, a little-known far-right figure. Georgescu has made headlines for his overt admiration of Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite distantly denying being notably favorable towards him.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need to safeguard democracies from such foreign interferences. The investigation will examine TikTok's compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to mitigate disinformation and prevent illicit activities online. "In cases of suspected interference during elections, we must respond decisively," von der Leyen stated, asserting that accountability for all online platforms, including TikTok, is essential.Georgescu’s campaign heavily utilized TikTok, and while Russia has refuted accusations of interference, Romanian intelligence views the country as a target of Russian strategic interests. The issue at hand is magnified by TikTok posts endorsing Georgescu, which evaded legal designation as election content. One particular account reportedly spent $381,000 on promotional posts, even as Georgescu himself dismissed any notion of using financial resources on social media. TikTok has resolutely denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the treatment of Georgescu's account was consistent with that of other candidates.In light of these developments, the EU's inquiry will delve into the potential risks connected to TikTok's content recommendation algorithm, which curates users' "For You" pages based on their engagement. Moreover, the review will analyze TikTok's advertising policies concerning political content. As part of the investigation launched on December 5, the EU ordered TikTok to safeguard internal documents related to content suggestions and strategies employed to thwart "intentional manipulation." This initiative pertains to any national elections occurring in the EU from November 24, 2024, to March 31, 2025, specifically referencing Romania, Ireland, and Croatia.Alongside this investigation, TikTok is already under scrutiny for possible violations of EU regulations regarding harmful content and the safety of minors. Following the first round of the Romanian vote, intelligence officials cited Georgescu's abrupt rise in popularity as the result of a "highly organized" social media effort deploying identical messages via numerous accounts. Before the run-off was annulled, Georgescu was neck-and-neck with the reformist candidate Elena Lasconi, amid stances aimed at ending military support to Ukraine. Georgescu also promotes conspiracy theories, questioning significant historical events like the moon landings and the legitimacy of the Covid-19 pandemic.
