European Commission takes Bulgaria and Cyprus to court for ignoring laws

In December 2024, the European Commission initiated an investigation into TikTok's practices regarding the Romanian elections. This inquiry followed allegations of foreign interference that reportedly influenced the election outcomes, namely the unexpected victory of ultranationalist Calin Georgescu. The Commission highlighted that under existing regulations, social media platforms, including TikTok, have a legal duty to assess and mitigate risks related to election interference. There are specific concerns regarding the disorderly management of political ads and the potential for coordinated manipulation of TikTok's recommender systems. The concerns arise from Romanian authorities who noted several irregularities that allegedly facilitated the election of Georgescu, a candidate considered pro-Russia. As part of the investigation, a retention order was placed on TikTok on December 5, which mandates the company to preserve data associated with these risks. It is crucial to protect democracies from foreign interference, stated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, indicating the swift and firm actions necessary for maintaining electoral integrity in the EU. Concurrently, the EU also brought Bulgaria and Cyprus before the Court of Justice concerning their failure to implement the Proportionality Test Directive, showcasing ongoing challenges within member states in upholding directive compliance which has broader implications on the regulation of professional practices. These developments underline the critical need for transparent and accountable digital platforms, with TikTok now under scrutiny for its role in shaping electoral landscapes across Europe.