coordinated election manipulation suspected on TikTok in Romania: investigations reveal significant vote rigging attempts using popular social media platform
In its interim report for the latter half of 2024, TikTok disclosed the blocking of 33,000 spam accounts in Romania and approximately 100,000 false accounts. The social media giant emphasized its dedication to combating fraudulent activity, especially during Romania's electoral campaign.
To access this article, sign up as a Romania Insider member or log in (for existing members). The report explicitly acknowledges the significant extent of such deceptive activities, seemingly corroborating Romania's reasoning for canceling the presidential elections.
Post-elections, TikTok's efforts to maintain regulation among its users persisted. Between December 15 and 30, 59 real accounts that violated political guidelines were expelled.
TikTok prides itself on a team of 99 Romanian-speaking moderators. For the mayoral elections, an additional 120 security, integrity, and advertising experts were brought on board.
In September 2024, TikTok discovered a network of 22 accounts operating within Romania, attempting to deceitfully influence the public with disinformation and propaganda critical of the Romanian government. In November 2024, the platform identified two more networks: one promoting Calin Georgescu and another amplifying stories favorable to independent political candidate Mircea Geoana.
December 2024 saw the identification of two more networks. One, involving 27,217 accounts, sought to promote the AUR political party and Caalin Georgescu through large-scale comments, while another, based in the Republic of Moldova, targeted the Romanian diaspora in Romania.
The report further mentions TikTok's global action against a covert network linked to Sputnik Media, aiming to combat disinformation operations. When they remove such networks, they monitor for potential resurfacing and remove associated accounts, such as the 11 accounts linked to Sputnik Media that were targeting audiences in Romania and the Republic of Moldova in November 2024.
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Post written by iulian@our website
—Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]
- TikTok revealed in its 2024 interim report that it blocked 33,000 spam accounts in Romania and approximately 100,000 false accounts, showing a commitment to combating fraudulent activities, especially during Romania's electoral campaign.
- To access the article detailing TikTok's actions, one must sign up as a Romania Insider member or log in (for existing members).
- Post-elections, TikTok expelled 59 real accounts that violated political guidelines between December 15 and 30.
- In an effort to maintain regulation during the mayoral elections, TikTok increased its team of Romanian-speaking moderators by 120 security, integrity, and advertising experts.
- TikTok unearthed several networks attempting to spread disinformation and propaganda during Romania's elections in September, November, and December 2024. These networks targeted various politicians, political parties, and even the Romanian diaspora in Romania. Furthermore, the platform took action against a covert network linked to Sputnik Media, aiming to combat disinformation operations and monitor for potential resurfacing of associated accounts.
