EU investigates TikTok
The European Commission launches official investigation against Chinese social media firm TikTok over Russia’s meddling in the presidential elections in Romania.
Mihai Pelin, 18.12.2024, 13:50
The European Commission opened formal proceedings against the TikTok social media platform for alleged violations of the Digital Services Act in the context of the presidential elections in Romania. The first round held on 24th November ended with the shock win of a nationalist and euro-skeptic independent candidate who was little known to the public, which raised many questions. The elections were annulled after the Constitutional Court received evidence from the Romanian Intelligence Service of Moscow’s interference with the election process. Also, four influential US senators warned, in a joint statement, of the threat posed by TikTok in Romania.
“Vladimir Putin’s assault on Romania’s elections is yet another example of the hybrid war he is waging on our European allies and partners. As a strong NATO ally, we support Romania as it fights for the integrity of its elections. We condemn Putin’s manipulation of Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-controlled TikTok to undermine Romania’s democratic process”, the US senators said in their statement.
The European Commission is investigating whether the Chinese platform properly assessed and mitigated systemic risks linked to election integrity. “We must protect our democracies from any kind of foreign interference. Whenever we suspect such interference, especially during elections, we have to act swiftly and firmly. Following serious indications that foreign actors interfered in the Romanian presidential elections by using TikTok, we are now thoroughly investigating whether TikTok has violated the Digital Services Act by failing to tackle such risks. It should be crystal clear that in the EU, all online platforms, including TikTok, must be held accountable”, said Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.
In response to these accusations, TikTok said it protected the integrity of the platform in over 150 elections around the world. “We do not accept paid political advertisements, we proactively remove content for violating our policies on misinformation, harassment and hate speech, and continue to work with the European Commission,” said a TikTok spokesperson.
On 5th December, the European Commission issued an order to TikTok to preserve any data related to “actual or foreseeable systemic risks its service could pose on electoral processes and civic discourse in the EU” between 24th November 2024 and 31st March 2025.
The threat posed by online disinformation to the integrity of elections was also the subject of a debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Depending on their political affiliation, MEPs views varied, with some saying online platforms have become breeding ground for disinformation and their algorithms a threat to elections, and with others saying freedom of expression is not negotiable.
