EU Investigates TikTok Under DSA for Russian Interference in Romania's Cancelled Presidential Election

Dec 17, 2024, 11:32 AM

The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into TikTok over allegations of Russian interference in Romania's presidential election, which led to the cancellation of the second round. Independent candidate Călin Georgescu, considered pro-Russian, unexpectedly won the first round, raising concerns about an orchestrated disinformation campaign on TikTok. The investigation centers on suspected breaches of the Digital Services Act (DSA), specifically TikTok's obligation to assess and mitigate systemic risks linked to election integrity. This marks the first time TikTok is being investigated under the DSA for election interference, posing a significant test for the EU's new social media regulation rules.