Romania's regulator demands TikTok suspension over election manipulation

In Romania, concerns regarding election integrity have led to a significant response from the country's telecoms regulator. Following the first round of presidential elections, which took place recently, the little-known ultranationalist candidate Călin Georgescu emerged unexpectedly victorious, having polled at only 5% just days before. His campaign heavily relied on viral TikTok videos, raising alarms about potential external manipulation through social media platforms. As a precautionary measure, Romania’s telecommunications authority, Ancom, has requested the suspension of TikTok pending an investigation into possible electoral interference. The national defense council is also assessing risks related to cyber activities that could disrupt the electoral process. Additionally, the country's national audiovisual council has called for an investigation by the European Commission to assess TikTok’s role in amplifying content that favored Georgescu. These developments come as the constitutional court is set to examine allegations of electoral fraud, with two candidates seeking the annulment of election results based on Georgescu's lack of declared campaign funding sources. Despite the criticism and concerns, TikTok has dismissed the allegations, stating that most candidates have a presence on the platform and that the winners utilized various digital strategies in their campaigns. The political implications are vast, with concerns about Romania's alignment with NATO and the EU, especially given Georgescu's controversial stances. His unexpected rise in the political landscape has sparked debates about the influence of social media in shaping public opinion and the democratic process in Romania.