The European Commission has launched a formal investigation against TikTok under the Digital Services Act (DSA), due to alleged violations related to electoral integrity. The investigation focuses on the platform’s possible failure to implement measures to mitigate systemic risks, particularly in the context of the presidential elections held in Romania on November 24.
Technology and Democracy: Under Scrutiny
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, emphasized the importance of addressing potential interference in democratic processes within the digital environment:
“We must protect our democracies from any form of foreign interference. If there are suspicions of such interference, especially in elections, we must act swiftly and firmly. We are investigating whether TikTok has violated the Digital Services Act by failing to properly manage these risks.”
The investigation responds to indications that foreign actors may have interfered in the Romanian elections through the TikTok platform, raising serious concerns about how systemic risks are managed on key digital platforms.
Key Areas of Investigation
The European Commission will investigate two core areas:
- TikTok’s Recommendation Systems:
The investigation will analyze whether these algorithms facilitated coordinated inauthentic manipulation or automated use to spread content that could influence the electoral process. - Policies on Political Ads and Sponsored Content:
It will be evaluated whether TikTok adequately managed the risks associated with the publication and promotion of political ads, as well as their impact on electoral transparency and fairness.
The investigation will also address whether the platform considered the regional and linguistic particularities that are critical in national elections like those in Romania.
The Role of the Digital Services Act
The Digital Services Act establishes a framework of accountability for online platforms, especially those classified as “very large online platforms” (VLOPs), like TikTok. Among its main obligations, the DSA requires that platforms assess and mitigate systemic risks associated with misinformation, manipulation, and other issues that may impact the safety and rights of citizens.
If it is confirmed that TikTok failed to comply with these obligations, the platform could face fines of up to 6% of its annual global revenue, in addition to potential operational restrictions in the region.
A Precedent in Digital Platform Regulation
This case is significant for the tech industry, as it marks one of the first major steps in implementing the Digital Services Act. The EU aims to establish stricter standards to ensure that digital platforms do not become vehicles for misinformation or interference in democratic processes.
The investigation also reinforces the need for tech platforms to adopt stronger practices of transparency and accountability in managing content and protecting their users from systemic risks.
The Impact on Tech Platforms
The outcome of this investigation could redefine how platforms like TikTok manage risks associated with elections and other critical processes. Moreover, it sends a clear message to the tech industry: European regulations will not tolerate gaps in digital security or risk management that affect democratic integrity.
With the implementation of the DSA and other complementary legislations, such as the NIS2 Directive, Europe positions itself as a leader in technology regulation to ensure a safer and more transparent digital environment.
via: Social Media News