Hundreds of TikTok accounts for pro-Russian influence on Czech elections discovered – Reuters
Photo: TikTok accounts used for pro-Russian influence on Czech elections discovered (Getty Images)
A group of Czech analysts from Online Risk Labs has identified 286 anonymous TikTok accounts spreading pro-Russian narratives and supporting radical parties ahead of the parliamentary elections in Czechia, Reuters informs.
According to the analysts, these accounts receive between 5 and 9 million views per week, exceeding the combined reach of the main party leaders.
"The accounts do not align with a single political entity, but rather demonstrate support for multiple radical and extremist parties simultaneously," the group stated.
They expressed support for the far-right SPD party, which ranks third in most polls with around 13% support, and the far-left Stacilo!, which is gaining just over the 5% threshold needed to secure parliamentary seats.
Both parties advocate for Czechia to leave NATO and the European Union.
Online Risk Labs analysts noted that the candidates promoted in these posts may not have been aware of it.
Specifically, Stacilo! stated that it did not use any fake accounts and denied any foreign influence on its campaign.
The Czech telecommunications regulator CTU also reported receiving several complaints about hundreds of TikTok accounts and forwarded them to the European Commission.
TikTok said it is taking action against content and accounts that violate its rules and has teams dedicated to combating "deceptive behavior."
Local media reports that nearly a quarter of Czechs use TikTok, which is fewer than in Romania, where last year’s presidential elections were canceled amid allegations of Russian interference via accounts on the platform.
Parliamentary elections in Czechia
Earlier reports indicated that, ahead of the Czech parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 3–4, intelligence agencies have recorded an increase in cyberattacks and disinformation from Russia.
There is a high likelihood of victory for the populist ANO (Yes) party, led by billionaire and former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. If successful, he could return to the position of head of government.
Babiš holds an anti-Ukrainian stance, and if his party wins, Ukraine could be left without support from Czechia.
Specifically, the Czech initiative to supply over one million artillery shells to Ukraine is at risk due to criticism from the populist ANO party, which is leading in polls ahead of the October parliamentary elections.
The party leader Babiš called the initiative "rotten" and promised to cancel it if he wins. His deputy, Karel Havlíček, stated that due to "questionable suppliers and low quality," ammunition deliveries should be regulated at the NATO level.
