TikTok Under Scrutiny by EU During Romanian Elections

EU Commission Intensifies Monitoring of TikTok During Romanian Elections Amidst Concerns of Foreign Interference

As the Romanian elections unfold, the European Commission has ramped up its scrutiny of TikTok, invoking the Digital Services Act (DSA) to address potential threats to electoral integrity. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure that social media platforms uphold their responsibilities in safeguarding democratic processes.

The Commission has issued a retention order to TikTok, mandating the platform to freeze and preserve data related to systemic risks that its services may pose to electoral processes and civic discourse within the European Union. This order is specifically aimed at preserving critical information and evidence for any future investigations into TikTok’s compliance with the DSA.

TikTok is required to maintain internal documents concerning the design and functioning of its recommender systems. This includes measures taken to counteract intentional manipulation, such as the coordinated use of inauthentic accounts. The retention order is particularly relevant for national elections in the EU scheduled between November 24, 2024, and March 31, 2025.

The urgency of this order follows recent intelligence that suggests potential foreign interference in the Romanian elections, particularly from Russian sources. However, the Commission has clarified that it is currently monitoring compliance and has not yet taken a position on whether TikTok has violated any obligations under the DSA.

To further bolster its efforts, the Commission has convened a meeting of the European Board for Digital Services Coordinators on December 6. This meeting aims to discuss steps taken thus far and respond to emerging evidence, including reports of accounts targeting the Romanian diaspora from other EU member states.

In addition, the Commission is enhancing its collaboration with the Cyber Crisis Task Force, which includes various EU agencies and Romanian cybersecurity authorities. This task force is vital for sharing information and coordinating responses to digital threats.

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “We ordered TikTok today to freeze and preserve all data and evidence linked to the Romanian elections, but also for upcoming elections in the EU. This preservation order is a key step in helping investigators establish the facts and adds to our formal requests for information which seek information following the declassification of secret documents yesterday. We are also intensifying contacts with digital and cyber regulators across Europe in light of emerging evidence of systematic inauthentic activity. I am committed to diligent and robust enforcement of the Digital Services Act.”

The Commission’s proactive approach also includes activating the Rapid Response System (RRS) under the Code of Practice on Disinformation. This system facilitates swift cooperation among civil society organizations, fact-checkers, and online platforms during electoral periods, providing a mechanism for addressing time-sensitive threats to electoral integrity.

The Romanian-Bulgarian hub of the European Digital Media Observatory is also participating in the RRS, monitoring the online landscape for disinformation tactics, including violations of electoral law and unmarked political content disseminated through influencers.

As the Commission continues to engage with TikTok and other major platforms, the focus remains on ensuring transparency and accountability in the digital sphere, particularly as the Romanian elections approach. The actions taken now could set a precedent for how digital platforms are regulated during future electoral processes across the EU.