EU Commission launches investigation against TikTok over Romanian election

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – EU Commission has launched formal proceedings against TikTok over potential violations of the Digital Services Act, following proof of Russian influence in Romania’s election. 

The European Commission has unlocked formal proceedings against TikTok for a presumed violation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) concerning TikTok’s obligation to properly evaluate and mitigate systemic risks connected to election integrity, especially in the context of the recent Romanian presidential elections on 24 November. 

The Romanian presidential vote on 24 November witnessed the surprising win in the first round of Georgescu. He was earlier little known to the public. The election was cancelled after the Constitutional Court received proof of Russian interference in the voting process, especially on TikTok, as delivered by the country’s intelligence services.

why is the EU investigating TikTok under the DSA?

In her remarks, EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, stated: “We must defend our democracies from any type of foreign interference. Whenever we suppose such interference, especially during elections, we have to operate swiftly and firmly. Following serious signs that foreign actors meddled in the Romanian presidential elections by manipulating TikTok, we are now thoroughly examining whether TikTok has broken the Digital Services Act by failing to take such risks. It should be crystal clear that in the European Union, all online platforms, including TikTok, must be held accountable.”

What risks are tied to TikTok’s recommendation algorithms?

The Commission’s considerations relate to how the social media’s suggestion algorithm functions and the system of political advertisements, which need clear labelling. Thus, the proceedings will concentrate on the management of risks to elections or civic discourse, related to TikTok’s recommender methods, notably the risks related to the coordinated inauthentic manipulation or automated exploitation of the service and TikTok’s guidelines on political promotions and paid-for political content.

Content promotion on Georgescu increased on TikTok, a non-organic wonder, according to the Commission, which considers it may have been enabled by bots and fake accounts.

This is only the first stage in deciding whether TikTok has violated the DSA. Now that formal proceedings have started, the Commission will collect further information. If figured non-compliant with European Union law, TikTok could confront a penalty of up to 6% of its international revenue.