The European Commission has launched formal proceedings against TikTok for alleged failure to prevent election interference in Romania’s presidential vote. This investigation will assess TikTok’s political advertising policies and content recommendations. TikTok insists it has safeguarded electoral integrity across various elections and is compliant with the Digital Services Act. The inquiry highlights concerns over foreign influence in democratic processes leading up to upcoming elections in Europe.
On Tuesday, the European Commission initiated formal proceedings against TikTok, a social media platform owned by Chinese company ByteDance, concerning its potential failure to mitigate election interference during the recent Romanian presidential election. The investigation aims to scrutinize TikTok’s policies regarding political advertisements and its content recommendation system to assess potential vulnerabilities to manipulation.
The commencement of these proceedings allows the Commission to take additional enforcement actions against TikTok and consider any commitments made by the platform. However, there is no set timeline for concluding this investigation. TikTok responded by asserting its commitment to maintaining the integrity of its platform, claiming it has protected against unfair practices during over 150 elections globally, and has provided extensive details to the European Commission regarding its countermeasures against misinformation and hate speech.
In accordance with the Digital Services Act, on December 5, the Commission instructed TikTok to secure data linked to the Romanian elections. This directive followed the annulment of the election results by Romania’s highest court amidst claims of Russian interference and the election of pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu.
The Commission is particularly vigilant about potential interference during upcoming elections in Germany and Croatia, with President Ursula von der Leyen highlighting the urgent need to safeguard democratic processes from foreign influence. “We must protect our democracies from any kind of foreign interference. Whenever we suspect such interference, especially during elections, we have to act swiftly and firmly,” she stated. This marks the third formal investigation initiated by the Commission under the Digital Services Act, with previous inquiries focused on risks concerning minors, one of which concluded after TikTok agreed to eliminate TikTok Lite Rewards from the European market.
The investigation into TikTok by the European Commission reflects growing concerns regarding foreign interference in elections, particularly referencing the situation in Romania. As digital platforms increasingly play a role in political discourse, there is significant pressure on these companies to adhere to standards that prevent the spread of misinformation and uphold integrity during elections. The Digital Services Act establishes a framework for regulating social media operations in Europe, empowering authorities to investigate and enforce policies designed to protect democratic processes. The backdrop of prior allegations regarding foreign meddling emphasizes the urgency of addressing potential vulnerabilities within social media platforms ahead of critical elections in European nations.
The European Commission’s formal investigation into TikTok signifies a proactive stance against potential foreign interference in elections. As TikTok asserts its commitment to protecting electoral integrity, the scrutinization of its advertising policies and recommendation systems will be crucial in evaluating its compliance with the Digital Services Act. This scenario underscores the increasing necessity for accountability among social media companies in maintaining democratic integrity as they engage in political discourse.
Original Source: www.dailysabah.com
