- EU launches investigation into TikTok after suspicion of foreign election interference
- The investigation will examine political ads and TikTok’s algorithm.
- Romania canceled its presidential elections after a series of cyberattacks
European Union regulators have revealed that they are investigating whether TikTok violated the Digital Services Act in regards to its “obligation to adequately assess and mitigate systemic risks related to electoral integrity,” particularly as it relates to the election. Romanian.
The investigation will focus on TikTok’s “recommender systems” and the risks associated with “inauthentic coordinated manipulation or automated exploitation of the service.” TikTok’s policies around advertising and paid political content are also being investigated.
The Romanian elections were recently annulled following a series of cyberattacks targeting electoral systems. In the lead-up to the first round of the race, election systems suffered more than 85,000 attacks, in which threat actors stole access credentials to election sites.
Freedom of expression or electoral interference?
The investigation has already provoked outrage from members of far-right groups in the European Parliament: Poland’s Patryk Jaki called the investigation “censorship” and France’s Catherine Griset accused the EU of appearing to be a “totalitarian regime” in its fight against the misinformation.
Foreign interference in elections has been seen around the world this year, and social media has been a catalyst for the spread of propaganda and disinformation. This EU investigation could potentially lead to action against the platform and set a precedent for other tech organizations.
“We must protect our democracies from any type of foreign interference. Whenever we suspect such interference, especially during elections, we have to act quickly and firmly,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission.
“Following serious indications that foreign actors interfered in the Romanian presidential election using TikTok, we are now fully investigating whether TikTok has violated the Digital Services Law by failing to address such risks. “It should be very clear that in the EU, all online platforms, including TikTok, must be held accountable.”
Via Politico
