The European Union (EU) has launched an investigation into Chinese social media platform TikTok over allegations that it was used by Russia to influence the outcome of the first round of the presidential election in Romania, which was won by a friendly candidate. with Moscow.
The relatively unknown independent candidate, Calin Georgescu, scored a shock victory in the first round of elections on November 24, taking about 23 percent of the vote.
He was expected to face the pro-European candidate, Elena Lasconi, in the December 8 runoff.
However, after Romania's National Security Council released classified documents that pointed to "a state actor" that was not named but appeared to be Russia, Romania's Constitutional Court annulled the first round and ordered the elections are held again from the beginning in the following months.
The term of incumbent President Klaus Iohannis has been extended accordingly, although his second five-year term ended this month.
"Following serious indications that foreign actors interfered in the Romanian presidential election through TikTok, we are now investigating in detail whether TikTok violated the Digital Services Act by failing to address these risks," said the president of European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on December 17.
She said the commission would continue to gather evidence, "for example, by sending further requests for information, carrying out monitoring actions, interviews, inspections and requesting access to algorithms".
Meanwhile, the EU on December 5 ordered TikTok to freeze and store data related to "current or foreseeable systemic risks" related to national elections in the 27-member bloc from November 24. until March next year.
TikTok must now provide data and documents withheld under the Dec. 5 order, von der Leyen said.
The EU action follows a statement by a group of senior US senators that condemned alleged Russian influence in the Romanian election.
"Vladimir Putin's attack on the elections in Romania is another example of the hybrid war he is waging against our European allies and partners," said US Senators Pete Ricketts (Republican of Nebraska), Ben Cardin (Democrat of Maryland), Jim Risch ( Idaho Republican) and Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire Democrat) in a statement.
"As a strong NATO ally, we support Romania in its efforts to preserve the integrity of its elections. We condemn Vladimir Putin's manipulation through TikTok, which is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to undermine the process democratic in Romania", said the senators./ REL (A2 Televizion)
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