The European Commission has launched an investigation into TikTok for potential election interference, particularly regarding the Romanian presidential vote. TikTok asserts its practices protect election integrity and does not allow paid political advertisements. The investigation follows allegations of foreign meddling and is part of ongoing scrutiny of TikTok under the Digital Services Act as the Commission aims to secure democratic processes throughout Europe.
The European Commission initiated formal proceedings against TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media platform, due to concerns regarding its compliance with regulations intended to limit election interference. This investigation arises from alleged failures observed during the Romanian presidential election held last month. The Commission aims to examine TikTok’s policies on political advertising and the potential manipulation of its recommendation systems. Formal proceedings enable further enforcement actions to ensure compliance, although no specific timeline for completion has been established.
In response to the allegations, TikTok defended its practices, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of its platform, claiming success in over 150 elections globally. The company insists it does not accept paid political advertisements and actively removes misinformation and hate speech. Following the elections in Romania, where accusations of foreign meddling surfaced, the Commission mandated TikTok to freeze data related to the electoral process in compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA), which governs social media operations within Europe.
The Commission remains vigilant regarding potential foreign interference in upcoming elections, particularly the German parliamentary election in February 2024 and the Croatian presidential election commencing on December 29, 2023. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that there are serious indications of foreign interference during the Romanian elections, stating the necessity to protect democratic processes from any external threats. This latest action marks the third investigation involving TikTok under the DSA, with previous inquiries focusing on risks affecting minors.
The regulatory landscape surrounding social media platforms has evolved significantly, particularly in response to concerns about election integrity and misinformation. The European Commission’s Digital Services Act (DSA) serves as a framework for mitigating risks, particularly in elections. TikTok’s role in various elections has drawn scrutiny, especially in light of allegations pertaining to Russian interference in Romania’s elections, prompting the Commission to act decisively to ensure compliance and protect democratic processes across Europe.
The European Commission’s investigation into TikTok highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by social media platforms regarding their role in election integrity. As foreign interference remains a pressing concern, the Commission’s proactive measures seek to uphold democratic values and ensure accountability from digital platforms. TikTok’s commitment to maintaining platform integrity will be critical as the investigation progresses, particularly in light of upcoming elections in Germany and Croatia.
Original Source: www.dailysabah.com
