In brief
Ursula von der Leyen emphasizes the need for accountability in safeguarding democracy against outside influence.
The European Union's executive body is launching a formal investigation into TikTok following "serious indications" of foreign interference in Romania's presidential election. This investigation comes on the heels of declassified intelligence suggesting that around 25,000 TikTok accounts were activated just weeks before the crucial first-round voting, ultimately leading to the cancellation of the second-round vote earlier this month. These accounts notably supported Calin Georgescu, an unfamiliar far-right independent candidate who has made controversial remarks about Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him a "patriot and a leader," although he has claimed not to be an admirer. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the importance of protecting democracies from foreign meddling, stating, "Whenever we suspect such interference, especially during elections, we must act swiftly and firmly."The investigation will scrutinize whether TikTok's advertising practices and content recommendation systems breach the Digital Services Act (DSA), which focuses on curbing disinformation and illegal activities online. The rise of Georgescu's campaign on TikTok raised eyebrows, with Romanian intelligence suggesting that Russia recognizes Romania as a key target and potential threat due to its NATO membership.Notably, many TikTok posts promoting Georgescu did not bear labels indicating election content, which is a legal requirement in Romania. One account reportedly spent upwards of $381,000 on posts for Georgescu, although he denied any personal expenditure on the platform. TikTok has vehemently rejected claims of wrongdoing, asserting it is "categorically false" to allege that Georgescu's account received special treatment compared to other candidates.The EU investigation will also examine the risks posed by the "automated exploitation" of TikTok's algorithms, which curate user content based on personal interests and engagement. Additionally, there will be a probe into TikTok's political advertisement policies. On December 5, the EU mandated TikTok to preserve internal documents related to how it recommends content, particularly concerning national elections within the EU from November 2024 to March 2025.The investigation unfolds simultaneously with another inquiry into TikTok's adherence to the DSA regarding harmful content and protections for minors. Following the first round of voting, Romanian intelligence highlighted a "highly organised" social media campaign spurring Georgescu's surge in popularity, fueled by accounts disseminating identical messages. Prior to the cancellation of the run-off, Georgescu was in a close contest with reformist candidate Elena Lasconi.Over the course of his campaign, Georgescu has voiced intentions to cease political and military support for Ukraine. He is also known for his conspiracy theories, including disbelief in events like the moon landings and the COVID-19 pandemic.
