Digihumanism unveils massive astroturfing on TikTok biaising the Romanian presidential elections

Read Digihumanism's report on the online manipulation of Romanian elections orchestrated on TikTok in favour of Calin Georgescu, the pro-Russian & far-right candidate, available here.

⭐️ With a great mapping by Florent Lefebvre, Digihumanism Chief Data Scientist

⭐️ A legal analysis by Karine Caunes, Digihumanism Executive Director, with key recommendations for TikTok and European and national enforcement authorities, based on the EU Digital Services Act

⭐️ And insights on Romania by Veronica Cretu, Member of Digihumanism Scientific Council

⭐️ Ana Paula Ríos Camarena, Digihumanism Junior Policy Officer for the comm.

⛔ MASSIVE ASTROTURFING:

Army of suspect TikToK accounts spamming pro-Georgescu's comments on all channels favouring other candidates

- including comments with illegal content very lately or not moderated at all (eg: historical revisionism, antisemitism, misogynism, anti-LGBTGA+, and anti-EU stance)

- boosted by TikTok's recommender system

- leading to multiple violations of the EU Digital Services Act (DSA)

📣 📣 📣 Digihumanism calls on TikTok, European, Romanian and Irish authorities to STOP the destruction of Romanian democracy and manipulation of Romanian citizens.

We urge TikTok to take all appropriate measures to stop astroturfing & prevent and mitigate its negative effects

(eg: conduct immediately a proper systemic risk assessment and adopt the necessary mitigating measures)

We urge the European Commission and relevant national authorities based on their respective competences to eg:

📛 sanction TikTok for violation of its obligations under the DSA

(eg: providing an unfair competitive advantage to one electoral candidate, failure to prevent and mitigate systemic risks to fundamental rights and democracy or promotion of illegal content)

📛 impose a fine on TikTok equating 6% of their total world annual turnover

✅ activate the DSA crisis response mechanism

✅ ensure full access to TikTok’s data, including on astroturfing promoters

✅ ensure algorithmic transparency

❌ ensure the immediate removal of all illegal content, termination of bot accounts and suspension of astroturfing promoters

✅ ensure the appointment of independent external experts and auditors

✅ monitor the DSA effective implementation and compliance

Please spread the voice and share the study widely to raise awareness about online election manipulation. Citizens have the right to know!

#SaveRomanianDemocracy #OpenTikTokBlackBox