EU probes TikTok after surprise win in Romania election
EU probes TikTok after surprise win in Romania election
EU regulators have ordered TikTok to retain data related to Romania's presidential election. Bucharest has released intelligence linking Moscow to surprise pro-Russian winner Calin Georgescu.
Summary
The EU has ordered TikTok to preserve data from Romania’s presidential election, investigating allegations of Russian interference under the Digital Services Act.
Pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu, who campaigned exclusively via viral TikTok videos, unexpectedly led the first election round, defying polls.
Romanian intelligence and a €1 million campaign price tag, despite Georgescu claiming zero spending, have raised suspicions of Moscow’s involvement.
Romania’s prosecutors are probing his campaign for money laundering.
Georgescu will face pro-EU candidate Elena Lasconi in a December 8 runoff.