Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-001961/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Dan Barna (Renew), Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu (Renew)
A recent investigation by Global Witness has revealed concerning issues with TikTok’s algorithm ahead of the Romanian elections. The findings indicate that the platform disproportionately promoted far-right content to users, regardless of their initially balanced political interests. This raises questions about the spread of disinformation and the potential for algorithmic bias to impact democratic processes[1].
The Digital Services Act (DSA) aims to create a safer and more transparent online environment, with specific obligations for very large online platforms (VLOPs) to mitigate systemic risks, including the dissemination of illegal content and disinformation, particularly during electoral periods. The DSA also emphasises the importance of algorithmic transparency and users’ rights to access diverse information.
Given these circumstances, the provisions of the DSA and past investigations into TikTok, what specific measures are now being taken to further investigate and address the algorithmic amplification of potentially harmful or biased content on TikTok within the EU, especially in the context of the upcoming elections in Romania?
Submitted: 15.5.2025
- [1] https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/digital-threats/tiktok-algorithm-continues-to-push-multiple-times-more-far-right-content-to-users-ahead-of-romanian-election/.