The European Commission opened formal proceedings Tuesday against social media firm TikTok over its suspected failure to limit election interference, notably in the Romanian presidential vote last month.
Romania’s top court subsequently annulled the presidential election after accusations of Russian meddling and the victory of pro-Russia ultranationalist Calin Georgescu in the first round.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the new investigation followed serious indications that foreign actors interfered in the Romanian presidential election.
Whenever we suspect such interference, especially during elections, we have to act swiftly and firmly,” she said in a statement.
The Commission is conscious of the risk of interference in the German parliamentary election in February and the presidential election in Croatia starting on December 29.
Persons:
Russia ultranationalist Calin Georgescu, China’s, TikTok, Ursula von der Leyen, “, ”
Organizations:
European Commission, Digital Services, TikTok
Locations:
Romanian, Europe, Russia, Croatia