Nathalie Loiseau calls for the publication of the investigation findings regarding the platforms, following questions about the elections in Romania

The chair of the committee for the European Democracy Shield wants information about algorithm changes and inauthentic behavior to reach citizens and Parliament. Asked about the TikTok investigation, rapporteur Tomas Tobé said that only the Commission can answer regarding the timeline.

Nathalie Loiseau called on the European Commission to make public the results of investigations into online platforms, following questions about TikTok’s role in Romania’s 2024 presidential election. At a press conference in Strasbourg, the chair of the special committee for the European Democracy Shield argued that information about platform manipulation must be communicated to citizens and Parliament, so that the public can recognize attempts at influence.

In briefLoiseau calls on the Commission to tell the public and Parliament what it learns about algorithm changes and inauthentic behavior that platforms have failed to counter. The request concerns access to findings, beyond dialogue with the companies under investigation.

Tomas Tobé did not provide a deadline for completing the TikTok investigation into electoral risks in Romania. He called for the firm application of European rules and referred the question about the timeline to the Commission.

The DSA procedure concerns compliance with the platform’s obligations. The Commission may gather evidence and impose remedies, but it must allow the company to respond to the preliminary findings before deciding on an infringement or fine.

Loiseau specified what kind of information she believes should be communicated. If the European executive learns about algorithm changes or inauthentic behavior that platforms have not countered, these findings should be explained publicly, in her view. She criticized the prospect of discussions remaining exclusively between private companies and Commission officials, emphasizing that informing citizens is part of protecting their freedom to form their opinions.

Questions from Romanian journalists also concerned the duration of the TikTok investigation. Rapporteur Tomas Tobé called for the firm application of European rules, including in the face of external political pressure, but said that he could not announce a date for completing the investigation on behalf of the Commission. He directed journalists to the European executive for an answer regarding the timeline.

The Commission opened the procedure on 17 December 2024, over suspicions concerning the assessment and reduction of electoral risks. The investigation covers TikTok’s recommendation systems, coordinated or automated manipulation, and policies on political advertising and paid political content. The regional and linguistic particularities of the elections are also being examined. When opening the procedure, the Commission stated that the outcome of the investigation was not predetermined.

The Digital Services Act, known as the DSA, allows the Commission to request documents and access to algorithms, conduct interviews and inspections, and impose corrective measures if it establishes an infringement. Before a non-compliance decision or a fine, the platform must be able to respond to the preliminary findings. Verifying compliance with the platform’s obligations does not, in itself, amount to establishing the perpetrator of an electoral interference operation.

TikTok published its own explanations of the measures taken in Romania. In a January 2025 update, the company stated that it had removed inauthentic accounts and was responding to requests from the authorities. Regarding one of the networks investigated internally, the platform said that a provider of fake interactions had been paid to post comments, but that the identity and location of those who had commissioned the activity were unknown. These are the findings communicated by the company at that time.

President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola argued that platforms must comply with the rules and placed the discussion in the context of future national elections and the 2029 European election. She cited the protection of press freedom and the independence of electoral processes as objectives of European action.

The DSA does not establish a legal deadline for concluding formal proceedings. The Commission explains that the duration depends on the complexity of the case, the company’s cooperation, and the exercise of the right of defense.

The press conference took place on 15 September, after the adoption of the report on the European Democracy Shield, with 420 votes in favor, 220 against, and 26 abstentions. The report calls for the rigorous application of digital legislation and measures against electoral interference through bots. The vote expresses Parliament’s recommendations and does not represent a decision in the TikTok investigation.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/news/nathalie-loiseau-cere-publicarea-rezultatelor-investigatiilor-privind-platformele-dupa-intrebarile-despre-alegerile-din-romania