The EU said Tuesday it had opened a formal investigation into TikTok after allegations that the platform was used by Russia to influence the outcome of Romania’s presidential election, which was later annulled.
“We must protect our democracies from any foreign interference. When we suspect such interference, especially during elections, we need to act quickly and decisively,” said Ursula von der Leyen, head of the commission. The EU said the decision to open an investigation was partly based on encrypted intelligence reports from the Romanian authorities. The investigation would focus on TikTok’s “recommendation systems” — which use data to suggest content to users that pique people’s interest.
The European executive, which acts as the EU’s digital watchdog under the DSA, stressed that the opening of formal proceedings does not prejudge its outcome and that there is no deadline for completing the investigation.
Translated and edited by Alex Kada
