The role of Chinese-owned TikTok is under scrutiny following the shock victory of a far-right candidate in Romania’s election. BRUSSELS

TikTok CEO summoned to European Parliament over role in shock Romania election

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2024-11-27 13:30:02

The role of Chinese-owned TikTok is under scrutiny following the shock victory of a far-right candidate in Romania’s election.

BRUSSELS — A top EU lawmaker is demanding that TikTok's chief executive appear before the European Parliament to answer questions about the platform's role in Sunday's Romanian presidential election, as researchers warn of covert activity on thousands of fake accounts leading up to the vote.

The first-round victory of the ultranationalist and pro-Russian Călin Georgescu has triggered shockwaves about the political trajectory of the EU and NATO country, with many concerns focused on how a TikTok campaign managed to propel an unknown candidate from obscurity. A second-round will be held on Dec. 8.

"We call on the CEO of TikTok to come to speak in this house and to ensure his platform conducted to no infringement under the DSA," Valérie Hayer, head of the liberal Renew Europe group, told a press conference on Thursday, referring to the Digital Services Act, Europe's rulebook for online content.

"Romania is a warning bell: Radicalization and disinformation can happen all over Europe with harmful consequences," added Hayer, an ally of French President Emmanuel Macron.