The European Commission launches a formal investigation
The European Commission has recently launched a formal investigation against TikTok, the well-known Chinese video-sharing platform, for suspected violations of the law on digital services. This process focuses in particular on the platform’s obligation to adequately assess and mitigate systemic risks associated with the integrity of elections, an issue of increasing relevance in the current European political landscape
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Risks related to the Romanian elections
The Romanian presidential elections, scheduled for November 24, are at the center of these concerns. The survey aims to examine how TikTok manages risks related to civic discourse and elections, with particular attention to the platform’s recommendation systems. These systems may be vulnerable to inauthentic manipulation or automated use of the service, factors that could compromise public confidence in the electoral
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Advertising policies and political content
In addition, the Commission will evaluate TikTok’s policies regarding political advertising and paid political content. This initiative reflects a growing interest on the part of European authorities in ensuring that digital platforms comply with regulations aimed at protecting democracy and the integrity of the electoral process. TikTok, being one of the most influential platforms in the world, is now under the microscope to ensure that its practices don’t compromise public trust in the electoral system
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Implications for the European economy
In the context of these investigations, it is important to note that the European economy is facing significant challenges. According to the IFO Institute, the German economy is showing signs of worsening, with the IFO index falling to 84.7 points from 85.6 in November. These data highlight the economic difficulties that Germany faces in the coming months, while Asian markets close in the negative due to concerns related to the upcoming decisions of the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan
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