European regulators have launched an investigation into whether TikTok violated digital laws by failing to address risks tied to Romania’s recent presidential election. The election has been overshadowed by accusations of foreign interference and irregularities, leading to significant political turmoil.
Romania’s top court annulled the results of the first voting round after allegations emerged of a large-scale social media campaign promoting a far-right candidate, Calin Georgescu. The campaign reportedly involved extensive use of TikTok, with influencers allegedly receiving significant payments to boost the candidate’s profile.
European officials are scrutinizing TikTok’s role in the election, particularly its content recommendation systems and policies on political content. Authorities are also examining whether the platform adequately addressed risks related to inauthentic activity or coordinated manipulation.
TikTok, in response, stated that it has implemented measures to safeguard elections globally and continues to tackle industry-wide challenges. The platform denies allowing paid political ads and claims to proactively remove misinformation.
The ongoing investigation could lead to TikTok being required to implement changes or face fines amounting to a significant percentage of its global revenue. This case marks an intensification of efforts by regulators to ensure online platforms are held accountable for their influence on democratic processes.
