TikTok CEO Called to EU Parliament Over Influence in Surprising Romania Election

“Romania serves as a wake-up call: Radicalization and disinformation are risks that can occur anywhere in Europe, leading to dangerous outcomes,” said Hayer, an ally of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Hayer’s statement comes just days after the surprising election win by Călin Georgescu. Running without the support of any major political party, Georgescu’s popularity had been underestimated by polls. However, analysts are now focusing on a significant TikTok campaign he conducted in the days leading up to the vote, which appears to have played a pivotal role in his success.

“We believe TikTok was misused in his campaign, involving a network of fake accounts mobilized for his benefit,” stated Bogdan Manolea, the executive director of the Romanian digital rights group Association for Technology and Internet.

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu also raised concerns on Tuesday about the financing behind Georgescu’s TikTok campaign. “It’s a system—I’m not sure about its legality. What I do understand is how it was utilized. The funding source, in my opinion, needs to be investigated. ‘Follow the money,’ as they say,” Ciolacu remarked.

Although questions abound, there’s currently no evidence suggesting the involvement of Russia or other state actors in Georgescu’s campaign.

Manolea emphasized that TikTok should have detected “the surge of thousands of fake accounts” and held the platform accountable under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

Meanwhile, calls are growing for greater scrutiny of TikTok, with a top EU lawmaker demanding the platform’s CEO appear before the European Parliament.


Comments

One response to “TikTok CEO Called to EU Parliament Over Influence in Surprising Romania Election”

  1. Oh, brilliant! Who knew that TikTok could be the new political strategist? Next thing you know, we’ll be electing mayors based on their dance moves! 💃🕺 #NoSeriousnessHere

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Portugal Parliament Rejects Labor Reform, Intensifying 2026 Political Challenge

Portugal Parliament Rejects Labor Reform, Intensifying 2026 Political Challenge

Lisbon, Portugal, June 19 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Employment legislation Europe remains in focus after Portugal’s parliament voted against the government’s proposed labour reform package, delivering a major setback to the country’s minority administration. The decision comes after weeks of political debate over employment protections, business flexibility, and economic competitiveness. The faile

Read More

Britain’s Keir Starmer Considers a Bleak Future

Britain’s Keir Starmer Considers a Bleak Future

Three out of four individuals indicated that Reynolds had encouraged the PM to agree to the widespread calls for him to establish a departure timeline. However, the fourth person disputed this characterization of the meeting. Both No. 10 and Reynolds’ team refused to comment.
A fifth person, an MP, stated they were informed ahead of the Downing Street meeting that Reynolds was planning to have an

Read More

Gaza: UNICEF Issues Alert on Child Killings, Citing Grave Risks

Gaza: UNICEF Issues Alert on Child Killings, Citing Grave Risks

“During a period supposedly defined by restraint and protection, a child has been killed, on average, every single day for more than eight months,” said UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson James Elder. “That is an absurd and devastating figure.”
Killed while playing
Briefing journalists in Geneva via video from Amman, the UNICEF aid veteran noted that the children “were not killed in a warzo

Read More

Canada’s Financial Markets Strengthen with Expanded Bank Lending Capacity

Canada’s Financial Markets Strengthen with Expanded Bank Lending Capacity

Sarhan Basem is Eurotoday’s Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful comment

Read More

Meloni and Sánchez Clash Over EU Migration Crackdown

Meloni and Sánchez Clash Over EU Migration Crackdown

The stance of Spain on migration is “well known,” a spokesperson from the Spanish government stated, confirming that Sánchez had defended it during the summit dialogue. Madrid is “more than happy” to participate in a conversation on migration, the spokesperson added. The spokesperson did not address the remark about Africa.

An Italian representative mentioned the interaction was “not a clash” bu

Read More

EU Leaders Prioritize Competitiveness Again

EU Leaders Prioritize Competitiveness Again

Brussels urges swifter measures on energy costs, industry, and the single market ahead of carbon-market review in July
EU leaders are urging swift advancement on Europe’s competitiveness agenda, calling on Brussels and national governments to expedite simpler regulations, lower energy costs, industrial renewal, and investment. The conclusions from Friday’s Brussels meeting underscore the “

Read More

Report: Manus Investors Pursue $2 Billion Buyback of AI Firm from Meta

Report: Manus Investors Pursue $2 Billion Buyback of AI Firm from Meta

San Francisco, California, United States, June 18 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Manus AI buyback discussions are drawing significant attention after a report indicated that the artificial intelligence company’s original investors are exploring a plan to repurchase the business from Meta in a deal valued at approximately $2 billion. If completed, the transaction could become one of the most closely wat

Read More

Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd.: Form 8.3

Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd.: Form 8.3

Press ReleaseThis article is based on a press release or official communication from Wire News Service. The European Times republishes it as a public service.
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BYA PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORERule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

1.
KEY INFORMATION
 

 
 

(a)
Full name of discloser:
Dimensional

Read More

‘Belgian PM Proposes Costa for Diplomatic Mission to Moscow’

‘Belgian PM Proposes Costa for Diplomatic Mission to Moscow’

After shaking Costa’s hand, De Wever mentioned: “I was saying you’re the only one who can represent us.” Costa then replied: “Thank you very much.”
De Wever humorously added: “And that we should send you to Moscow as soon as possible.”
This joke referred to leaders’ debates about establishing a direct communication line with Putin and who should represent the EU in future peace talks.
Costa laughe

Read More

Côte d’Ivoire Leads Regional War on Terror

Côte d’Ivoire Leads Regional War on Terror

Amid the sprawling displays of advanced hardware at Eurosatory, one of the world’s premier defence and security trade exhibition, Côte d’Ivoire’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Téné Birahima Ouattara, signalled his nation’s emergence as the primary security anchor in the troubled Sahel region.
Calling for renewed co-operation with neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, Mr Ouattara, se

Read More