EU orders TikTok to freeze election-related data in Romania
The EU has ordered TikTok to freeze election data tied to Romania’s contentious polls.
The European Union has directed TikTok to retain data related to Romania’s elections under the Digital Services Act, citing concerns over foreign interference. The move follows pro-Russia ultranationalist Calin Georgescu’s unexpected success in the presidential race’s first round, raising alarm about coordinated social media promotion.
Declassified documents revealed TikTok’s role in amplifying Georgescu’s profile via coordinated accounts and paid algorithms, despite his claim of no campaign spending. Romania‘s security agencies have flagged these efforts as ‘hybrid Russian attacks,’ accusations Russia denies.
TikTok stated its cooperation with the EU in addressing concerns and pledged to establish facts amid allegations. Romania’s runoff presidential vote is seen as pivotal for the country’s EU alignment.
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