In the lead-up to Romania’s presidential primary election, scrutiny has turned towards TikTok for its role in promoting ultranationalist candidate Călin Georgescu. Georgescu, who has gained significant traction on the platform, garnered high view counts during the final stages of the campaign. Following the election’s conclusion, the Romanian constitutional court opted not to annul the primary results, paving the way for a second round of voting scheduled for December 8. This decision has further heightened discussions regarding the influence of social media on electoral processes.
After the election, Romanian authorities have officially requested the European Commission to investigate TikTok’s adherence to the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU’s online content moderation law. A set of questions has been dispatched to TikTok, requiring the company’s response by December 13. The inquiry reflects growing concerns regarding how social media platforms manage content related to political campaigns and the potential spread of misinformation, especially in light of Georgescu’s controversial political stance.
To address these concerns, TikTok executives, including Caroline Greer, the company’s lobbyist in Brussels, and Brie Pegum, head of product authenticity and transparency, are set to testify before European lawmakers. Their appearance before the internal market committee on Tuesday will focus on detailing how TikTok is complying with the DSA, which aims to ensure better oversight of online political advertising and misinformation. Notably absent from this hearing will be TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, despite calls from lawmakers for him to provide clarity regarding the platform’s practices during the election period.
Additional scrutiny extends beyond TikTok, with Elon Musk’s social media platform X also facing accusations of violating EU social media regulations. This has resulted in the potential for substantial financial penalties reflecting the platform’s connection to a larger conversation about social media’s role in modern political discourse. Musk’s backing of Donald Trump has further embroiled the platform in debates around misinformation and regulatory compliance, raising questions about the enforcement of the DSA against entities with significant political affiliations.
As the digital landscape increasingly intersects with global politics, the implications for electoral integrity and content moderation are becoming more pronounced. Europe’s push for accountability from social media platforms represents a proactive stance in response to the influence these platforms wield over political dynamics. With upcoming testimony from TikTok and the ongoing investigation into X, the outcome of these inquiries could set crucial precedents for how social networks are regulated in the future.
Ultimately, as the political climate in Romania and across Europe continues to evolve, the responsibility of social media platforms in ensuring fair and transparent elections remains under close examination. The reactions from both TikTok and X regarding their compliance with regulatory frameworks will play a pivotal role in shaping public sentiment and influencing future legislative efforts aimed at harnessing the power of social media for democratic purposes. The world watches closely as these tech giants navigate their responsibilities against the backdrop of an increasingly polarized political environment.