European Commission suspects TikTok of influencing elections in Romania
TikTok social media logo (photo: Getty Images)
The European Commission has requested information from TikTok under the Digital Services Act (DSA). This is due to suspicions of the platform's possible influence on the presidential election in Romania.
"Against the background of the ongoing Romanian elections, the Commission is requesting TikTok to provide more information on its management of the risks of information manipulation. In particular, the Commission is requesting TikTok to provide detailed information on how it analyzed and mitigated the risk of inauthentic or automated exploitation of its service and the risks stemming from its recommender systems," the message reads.
The European Commission is also asking for information on how TikTok engages third parties in public control of content and monitoring of risks related to electoral processes.
The platform has to provide this information by December 13. After that, the EC will decide whether further action is needed.
The first round of the presidential election in Romania took place on November 24, but there was no clear winner, as none of the candidates received more than 50% of the vote. In this regard, a second round is expected in December.
At the same time, CEC Chairman Tony Grebla said that the first round could be held again if the country's Supreme Court decides to annul the results of the vote held on November 24.
