The European Commission has launched formal proceedings against TikTok for allegedly failing to prevent election interference during the Romanian presidential vote. TikTok maintains its efforts to safeguard electoral integrity, claiming to have enforced numerous policies against misinformation and paid political ads. This investigation, prompted by concerns over foreign interference, is part of broader regulatory endeavors under the Digital Services Act.
On Tuesday, the European Commission initiated formal proceedings against TikTok concerning its alleged negligence in preventing election interference during the recent Romanian presidential vote. The inquiry entails a thorough examination of TikTok’s policies on political advertisements and the potential manipulation of recommendation systems. This move enables the commission to adopt further enforcement actions if necessary, with no specified timeframe for the completion of the proceedings.
TikTok, owned by China’s Bytedance, defended its record, claiming to have upheld the integrity of its platform amidst over 150 elections globally. Additionally, it asserted that it does not accept paid political advertisements and actively removes content that violates its guidelines regarding misinformation and hate speech. Following a directive from the commission on December 5, TikTok was mandated to secure data relating to the Romanian elections in accordance with the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The investigation comes in light of serious concerns about foreign interference in elections, particularly after Romania’s top court annulled the presidential vote amid allegations of Russian involvement. The commission is particularly vigilant of potential risks associated with the upcoming German parliamentary elections and Croatia’s presidential election set to commence on December 29.
President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the imperative to shield democracies from foreign interference, stating that swift and decisive action is essential whenever such threats are identified. This investigation represents the third such inquiry against TikTok under the DSA, with prior investigations focusing on the platform’s risks to minors.
“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,” noted Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The European Commission’s investigation serves to underscore its commitment to ensuring integrity within electoral processes across the member states while addressing the broader implications of social media platforms on democratic governance.
The European Commission’s actions stem from growing concerns about the integrity of democratic processes in the face of potential foreign interference. Recent allegations surrounding the Romanian elections, particularly related to misinformation and manipulation tied to external actors, prompted the commission to scrutinize the influence of platforms like TikTok. The investigation hinges upon TikTok’s adherence to the Digital Services Act, which seeks to regulate the operations of major social media platforms in Europe, ensuring that they mitigate risks related to election integrity and user safety, particularly for minors.
In summary, the European Commission has opened formal proceedings against TikTok due to allegations of inadequate measures against election interference, notably during the recent Romanian elections. TikTok asserts its commitment to maintaining platform integrity and has previously cooperated with the commission regarding related concerns. This ongoing investigation highlights the commission’s proactive stance in safeguarding democratic processes within the European Union, particularly as forthcoming elections loom.
Original Source: www.dailysabah.com
