Concerns are rising over TikTok’s handling of foreign interference in elections, particularly following the annulment of Romania’s presidential election. Călin Georgescu, a far-right candidate, gained unexpected popularity through viral TikTok videos, prompting investigations into potential manipulation, including the use of automated bots and foreign funding. The platform’s significant influence among young Romanians raises alarms about misinformation and radicalization, as dissatisfaction with established political parties grows amid economic challenges.
TikTok’s Role in Election Manipulation Concerns
Concerns are mounting over TikTok’s potential failure to adequately address foreign interference in elections. The recent annulment of the Romanian presidential election has raised questions about the platform’s algorithm and whether it played a role in this political fiasco.
Earlier this year, Rares Bogdan, a Romanian EU politician, sounded the alarm about TikTok becoming a breeding ground for extremist content, urging for immediate regulation or a ban on political propaganda. He warned that without serious measures, manipulation could become a significant threat. At that time, his concerns were largely overlooked.
The European Commission has now initiated an investigation into whether TikTok has complied with legal standards.
Unpacking Georgescu’s Surprising TikTok Success
Călin Georgescu, a polarizing figure characterized by his right-wing extremist and pro-Russian views, achieved unexpected success in the election despite lacking traditional campaign resources. He did not engage in any televised debates, had minimal backing from established political parties, and claimed not to have spent money on his campaign—an assertion currently under scrutiny by authorities. This raises the question: how did his TikTok-centric campaign garner such remarkable visibility?
Georgescu’s videos went viral, racking up hundreds of thousands of shares and millions of views, despite his channel having only around 120 followers prior to the election. Following the election, his follower count skyrocketed to approximately half a million. Investigators are probing whether a coordinated Russian campaign aided in his electoral success.
Mădălina Voinea, a Digital Research Analyst at the NGO Expert Forum in Bucharest, has analyzed the hashtags associated with Georgescu’s content. She discovered that over 30 percent of posts tagged with #Romania also included his name, a significant overlap that is challenging to achieve, especially with such a prominent hashtag.
The Supreme Constitutional Court recently annulled the presidential election amid allegations of manipulation, prompting further questions about Georgescu’s campaign tactics.
Evidence suggests that automated bots may have played a role in amplifying Georgescu’s message. Romanian intelligence reports indicate that around 25,000 TikTok accounts were created in the lead-up to the first round of voting. Additionally, multiple influencers and extremists may have been recruited to support Georgescu, with some claiming they acted voluntarily.
As investigations unfold, authorities are looking into allegations of voter bribery, money laundering, and financial misconduct, with indications that Russian funds may have been funneled into marketing firms in Romania.
With nearly 9 million of Romania’s 19 million inhabitants using TikTok, the platform serves as a crucial source of information and opinion, particularly among younger demographics. Georgescu’s content not only reached local audiences but also resonated with Romanian expatriates worldwide, including approximately 900,000 in Germany alone. Voinea has noted significant TikTok engagement within this diaspora community.
As the political landscape shifts, many Romanians—both domestically and abroad—are increasingly receptive to radical alternatives, driven by widespread dissatisfaction with the long-standing ruling parties. Oliver Jens Schmitt, a professor at the University of Vienna, highlights the rising discontent with the PSD (Social Democratic Party), which has held power for nearly three decades.
The country faces high unemployment rates, particularly among the youth, and frustration is palpable. Schmitt emphasizes that TikTok has become a vital tool for amplifying news and opinions, especially among a populace eager for change.
Compounding these issues, misinformation is often more challenging to detect in video formats than in traditional media, contributing to a broader issue of low literacy levels in Romania. A World Bank study from 2021 reported that the average daily reading time in Romania is below five minutes, indicating a significant reading fatigue among the population.
Despite these challenges, there is a glimmer of hope for Romania as it nears full membership in the Schengen Area, which promises to ease travel restrictions and bolster the economy. However, this achievement has been marred by a sense of humiliation, given that Romania has long met the criteria but faced prolonged vetoes from Austria.